Man convicted after digging graves for pub murder plot

A traditional English country pub with a "FOR SALE" sign, representing the type of establishment targeted in the criminal case (Illustrative image) (Photo by David Potter/Construction Photography/Avalon/Getty Images) Getty Images

A 22-year-old man who planned to torture and kill people living at a Berkshire pub has been convicted after police discovered he had dug graves and compiled a detailed "kill list". Jacob Power of Ash Tree Grove, Hamstead Marshall, repeatedly broke into The White Hart pub in West Berkshire with weapons and equipment as part of his sinister scheme.

Power was referred to mental health services by his GP after expressing increasing thoughts about wanting to torture and murder people. He told health professionals he wanted to dispose of victims' bodies in graves and aspired to be a serial killer, though he initially claimed these were just thoughts without any concrete plans.

However, Power's detailed planning contradicted his claims to medical professionals. He created extensive notes matching his disturbing thoughts and dug graves in woodland behind his home to dispose of bodies. He also gathered weapons and equipment needed to carry out his planned attacks on The White Hart pub occupants.

Multiple Break-ins

Power broke into the pub on three separate occasions in late 2024. On 7 November, he entered with a backpack believed to contain knives, disabled the CCTV system, and stole the recording box along with room keys. He returned days later to steal more keys, then attempted to break into the flat above the pub on 28 November, damaging the door lock when he couldn't gain entry.

Police discovered Power's plot during a welfare check on 11 February this year when mental health professionals couldn't contact him or his mother. Officers found an extensive weapons cache including knives, air pistols, ammunition, a samurai sword, masks, duct tape, ropes, and chains. They also uncovered Power's detailed notes, the stolen CCTV equipment, and pub keys.

According to the Daily Star, Power was obsessed with fictional serial killers Hannibal Lecter and Dexter, which influenced his planning. His notebook contained specific plans for a "kill room" lined with plastic sheeting and detailed torture methods. Power claimed his weapon collection was like "collecting coins" and his writings were simply to "get thoughts out of his head".

Court Proceedings

Power was arrested and detained under the Mental Health Act before being charged. At Reading Crown Court on 4 August, he pleaded guilty to four counts of burglary, three counts of criminal damage, attempted burglary, and cannabis possession. Following a two-week trial, a jury found him not guilty of six counts of aggravated burglary and two counts of attempted aggravated burglary.

Detective Constable Isabelle Denis of Berkshire West CID said: "It is extremely fortunate the occupants of The White Hart pub in Hamstead Marshall were not in when Power broke in on three occasions as we believe he would have continued to follow the disturbing and terrifying plan involving torture and murder found in his notes."

Power remains remanded in custody and will be sentenced on 19 September. The case highlights how mental health intervention and police investigation prevented what could have been a devastating attack on innocent victims.

Sources used: "PA Media", "Manchester Evening", "Daily Star" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.