Wigton man found guilty of murdering his father

A jury has today 29 July 2026 found a Wigton man guilty of murdering his father, 73-year-old Stanley Smith in December 2025. The verdict follows a trial at Carlisle Crown Court. Brian Smith, aged 33, of Friars Garth, Wigton denied charges of murder. However, a jury unanimously found him guilty of the murder of Stanley Smith. Smith is due to be sentenced on 7 August 2026. Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) Steven Byrne said: "Today’s verdict brings to a close a deeply tragic case in which a son took the life of his own father. “While nothing can change what happened, today's result ensures that Brian Smith has been held accountable for his actions. “This case involved a significant amount of investigative work, including forensic examination, witness accounts and detailed enquiries by detectives. I would like to thank all those who contributed to the investigation and helped us build the evidence that secured this conviction.