Cannabis grower jailed for life for shooting burglar dead
Adrian Frost, 61, was jailed for life with a 27-year minimum for murdering Connor Batty, who broke into his Hemsworth home with two others to steal his cannabis crop. Frost lay in wait with a sawn-off shotgun after first calling 999; the accomplices received up to four and a half years for the attempted burglary.
🇬🇧 Leeds Crown Court · United Kingdom
- Prison
- life (minimum 27 years)
- Deaths
- 1
On 31 August 2026, Adrian Frost, 61, was jailed for life and ordered to serve at least 27 years before parole after a jury at Leeds Crown Court convicted him of murder.[1] Sentencing, Recorder of Leeds Guy Kearl KC said Frost had assembled an arsenal of weapons to protect his home-grown cannabis operation and was prepared to use them, adding that Frost could have fired a warning shot but instead lay in wait with the safety catch off.[1]
Frost shot 26-year-old Connor Batty through the chest from less than 1.5 metres on the night of 11 September 2025, after Batty and two friends forced entry to his Barnsley Road home in Hemsworth to steal the crop.[1][2] The intruders, carrying an imitation handgun, a pickaxe handle and shears, shouted that they knew what Frost had; Frost first called 999 to report the break-in, then loaded his illegal 12-bore sawn-off shotgun and opened fire as they burst through the door.[1][2] Batty died shortly afterwards; Frost texted his brother that Batty was “dead as a post”, photographed the body, and jokingly asked the dying man if he wanted an aspirin.[1][2]
Jurors unanimously rejected Frost’s self-defence claim after less than a day; he had already admitted producing Class B drugs and possessing the prohibited firearm.[1] Batty’s accomplices were also jailed for the attempted burglary: Lewis Bromley to four years and six months, Dylan Kelly to four years and four months, and Connor Turner to three years.[1]
Sources
- Shotgun killer who asked dying burglar 'want an aspirin?' jailed for murder. SWNS, 31 August 2026.
- Man who shot intruder asked 'want an aspirin?' as he lay dying. Brit Brief.