Two career criminals have been sentenced to a total of 30 years in prison after a violent attempted robbery with a screwdriver led to the death of an 83-year-old man in Birmingham.
A Brutal Attack in a Car Park
Neil O'Donnell, aged 83, was attacked in the car park of a rehabilitation centre on Cateswell Road in Hall Green on 14 May last year. He had just arrived to visit his partner when Tony Griffin, 54, armed with a screwdriver, followed his car and tried to forcibly steal his wristwatch.
CCTV footage captured the prolonged struggle, showing Mr O'Donnell bravely fighting off his assailant. Griffin was eventually chased away from the scene by staff at the centre. The attacker was later seen on camera discarding his top and cap in a wheelie bin in an attempt to evade capture.
Fatal Consequences and Police Investigation
Although Mr O'Donnell was treated in hospital for an arm injury sustained during the attack and initially discharged, his health rapidly deteriorated. Tragically, he died just a week later from complications arising from an infection caused by the screwdriver wound.
A meticulous investigation by West Midlands Police quickly identified Griffin and his accomplice, Wesley McDonnell, 46. Enquiries revealed that McDonnell had been at a nearby Co-op shop at the same time as Mr O'Donnell about half an hour before the attack, where he was seen on CCTV looking at the pensioner's watch.
McDonnell then picked up Griffin in a white van, and the pair followed Mr O'Donnell to the rehabilitation centre where the violent robbery attempt took place. Both men, from College Road in Kingstanding, were arrested the day after Mr O'Donnell died, found in the same white van.
Justice Served at Warwick Crown Court
Following a trial at Warwick Crown Court, both men were found guilty of manslaughter. Griffin had previously admitted attempted robbery, while McDonnell was found guilty of the same offence. The court heard that both had extensive criminal histories.
Tony Griffin has 14 previous convictions for 32 offences, including burglary, robbery and kidnapping. Wesley McDonnell has 29 convictions for 85 offences, including burglary, wounding with intent and robbery.
On Tuesday 13 January 2026, each man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for manslaughter. The judge ordered that they must serve at least two-thirds of their sentence before being considered for release.
Detective Inspector Nigel Box, from West Midlands Police’s Homicide team, said: “This was a violent attack on an elderly man who was simply going about his day. They are both career criminals and wrongly assumed Neil would be an easy target. Neil’s death has been devastating for his family.”
The family of Neil O'Donnell have asked for privacy as they continue to grieve their loss.
