Samuel Michael Field punched, kicked and stomped on Martin Glynn’s head before strangling him, after falsely believing his friend had betrayed him
Eliana Nunes and Emma O’Neill Content Editor
12:42, 29 May 2026Updated 12:49, 29 May 2026
(Image: Northamptonshire Police/SWNS)
A 40 year old man has been sentenced to life imprisonment after brutally torturing his 93 year old closest friend for over 10 hours, resulting in the elderly man’s death.
Samuel Michael Field carried out a sustained and vicious assault on Martin Glynn inside his flat in Desborough in September 2024, convinced that his friend of 20 years had somehow wronged him. Mr Glynn sustained multiple bleeds on the brain and a fractured neck, and tragically passed away three months later from his injuries.
At Northampton Crown Court on Friday, Field was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 22 years. Following an 11-day trial at the same court, the jury of seven men and five women found Field guilty of murdering Mr Glynn on May 6.
On September 19, 2024, Mr Glynn made his way by bus from his home in Kings Heath, Northampton, to Field’s flat in Gold Street, Desborough — a two-hour journey he undertook at least once a week to see his friend.
On this particular occasion, however, Field gave his longtime companion a far from warm reception, harbouring the unfounded belief that Mr Glynn had betrayed him to an unknown “Irishman”, the court heard, reports the Mirror.
Field’s mental health had deteriorated significantly in the months prior and, gripped by paranoia, he turned violent when Mr Glynn failed to provide the confession he demanded, the court was told.
(Image: Northamptonshire Police)
Field punched, kicked and stamped on the victim’s head before strangling him, fracturing a bone in his neck and leaving him with severe bruising and swelling to his face and body. Footage captured by a concealed camera inside the flat showed Field behaving as though nothing had occurred, while Mr Glynn’s feet were visible as he lay motionless on the floor.
Late on 20 September, more than 24 hours after the assault, Field contacted East Midlands Ambulance Service on several occasions and gave a full confession, prompting the call handler to notify Northamptonshire Police.
Field waited outside the flat for officers to arrive and, upon his arrest, told them he had “assaulted someone” and “I know what I have done”. Despite being told that he was under caution, Field continued to tell them what had happened.
Upon entering the flat, officers discovered Mr Glynn in the bathroom. He appeared bewildered as to how he had sustained the serious facial injuries. He was taken to Northampton General Hospital, where he was diagnosed with multiple bleeds on the brain and a fractured neck.
Field was charged with Section 18 grievous bodily harm with intent and was remanded into custody by Northampton Magistrates’ Court on 23 September before the case was referred to the crown court for trial. Sadly, Mr Glynn never recovered from the injuries he sustained in the attack and died on 26 December.
On 26 August last year, during an appearance at Northampton Crown Court, Field was charged with Mr Glynn’s murder and further remanded into custody to await trial. Throughout the trial, Field opted to represent himself, dismissing his defence counsel before ultimately choosing not to mount a defence. This left the jury with little choice but to return a guilty verdict for the murder of Mr Glynn.
Speaking following the conviction, Detective Sergeant Megan Scotney said: “Samuel Field described Mr Glynn as his best friend of almost two decades.
“However, instead of looking out for Mr Glynn, Field exploited their friendship and tortured the 93-year-old over 10-hours, inflicting the most horrific injuries on a vulnerable man, which ultimately cost him his life.
“Mr Glynn lived independently and through his loyalty to Field, travelled more than two hours from his home in Northampton to Desborough at least once, sometimes twice a week to visit him.
“Only Field knows why he attacked Mr Glynn that day, but I am pleased the jury has seen him for what he truly is – a dangerous, violent man.
“Nothing can bring Mr Glynn back, but I very much hope this guilty verdict offers his loved ones some comfort. Our thoughts remain with them all in their grief.”
