Man Sentenced to Life for Easterton Murder After 2024 Trial

A man has been given a life sentence for the murder of a man in Easterton. Raymond Groves, 48, from Hartcliffe, Bristol, died following the incident at an address in Strawberry Fields, on July 2, 2024.

Following an 11-week trial back in May, Antony Hiller, 35, of Brooklands, Royal Wootton Bassett, was found guilty of murder. Today, exactly two years on from the incident, he was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 26 years.

Helen Shakespeare, 55, of Strawberry Fields, Easterton, was found guilty of manslaughter but not guilty of murder – she was sentenced five years imprisonment Letishia Goodwin, 31, of Strawberry Fields, Easterton, was found guilty of participating in the murder and was given a hospital order. On July 2, 2024, Raymond attended the address in Strawberry Fields, Easterton, having been invited there by both Shakespeare and Goodwin.

Shortly after arriving he was met at the front door by Shakespeare, with Hillier waiting inside the property. While inside the property, Raymond was subjected to a sustained attack during which he was stabbed multiple times.

Emergency services attended the scene, but tragically Raymond was pronounced dead at the address. Goodwin was brought back to the house by Hillier prior to police and ambulance attendance.

She called 999 to report a male had been found dead at her home. The investigation, which was carried out by our Major Crime Investigation Team, involved extensive CCTV and mobile phone enquiries which established Hillier had been at the address when Raymond arrived, and the plan to cause harm to Raymond had been in the planning between the group for months.

The trial was heard at Salisbury Crown Court in the absence of Goodwin, who was deemed unfit to stand trial. James Purcell, from our Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “This has been an exceptionally complex and demanding investigation, spanning many months and culminating in an 11‑week trial.

From the outset, we were faced with conflicting accounts, a fast‑moving and violent incident, and a web of relationships that required painstaking work to untangle. Our team worked tirelessly to piece together Raymond’s final moments that night back in 2024.

“Through our enquiries we established there had been a significant amount of planning that went into this murder via messages located on mobile phones in the days and week leading up to the incident, with previous plans to harm Raymond not coming to fruition.” Detective Chief Inspector Deb Hatch said: “Raymond’s death was the result of a brutal and sustained attack, and today’s verdicts reflect the gravity of the actions taken by those responsible.

“I want to pay tribute to the dedication of every officer and staff member involved, and to Raymond’s family, who have shown remarkable strength throughout an incredibly difficult process. The thoughts of all those on the investigation team remain with his family at this difficult time.” Share