Aaron Wilks

31st January 2021, at 11.30am Wilks demanded to be let into the Stoakes house. Wilks pushed past Mark Stoakes and went into the kitchen. There, he produced a meat cleaver and demanded money he was owed, he also held the cleaver against Mark's throat and slammed it down on top of the cooker, causing damage.

The exchange was caught on CCTV outside the Stoakes home, and was not reported to the authorities until after 8th April.

Tuesday 9th February 2021, Wilks went to the Stoakes home with two other men. He threatened to kill Mark and his family before ripping a CCTV camera off the wall around the side of the house.

8th April 2021, Aaron Wilks visited the Stoakes family home and torched their garden gate. When Mr and Mr Stoakes challenged him, he doused both in petrol and set Mr Stoakes on fire before fleeing the scene. 

During the incident the family recognised Wilks from the the two previous incidents and he became a main suspect in police investigations.
P{olice searched addresses and vehicles of people associated with Wilks and seized a variety of evidence, including a black petrol can from his car, a blue spray bottle from a house, and a coat matching that seen on CCTV footage of the incident.

11th April 2021, Wilks was arrested from an address in Ash Grove, Bognor Regis.

30th April 2021, Mr Stoakes died in hospital of his injuries. Wilks is charged with murder.

Friday 10th December 2021, Aaron Wilks is found guilty of murder, the jury reached a unanimous verdict. Sentencing was deferred.     

Wilks was also found guilty of blackmail, arson, criminal damage and possession of a bladed article.        

He will be eligible for parole in 2046.