George Ness killed John Smyth. Ness became violent due to crack cocaine use. A former friend, Craig Hardy, shared this view. Ness shifted from harmless to a murderer, Craig said.

Craig knew Ness since they were teens. They lived in North Shields. Craig told the Chronicle about Ness’s change. Ness is now facing life in prison. Craig feared Ness would kill someone.

Craig thought Ness would kill. Then, he actually did. It’s awful to know this, and he feels sorry for the victim. John moved from Derby to Tyneside and died in Wallsend last September.

Ness sought drugs at Brydi Nye’s. John tried to chase him away. Ness beat John to death with wood. John was visiting Brydi at Holly Avenue when this took place.

Ness denied murder in court, but the jury found him guilty. The trial took place in Newcastle. Craig and Ness knew each other for years and hung out when young.

Craig never thought Ness could kill. Ness was a friend, and Craig got along with him. He was like a ‘lackey,’ helpful to others. He did errands for people and was never a problem back then.

Craig said Ness loved to laugh when younger. They paddled a canoe at the Royal Quays marina. Craig bought the canoe, and they had fun, but almost hit a boat.

Craig was in jail for 18 months for having an air rifle. He got out in 2021. By then, Ness had changed, and Craig heard stories about him, feeling Ness would kill someone.

Craig thinks crack was the key factor, as Ness always wanted money and was scruffy. Crack made him worse. When younger, he was funny, but then it was all about money. It was like two different men.

Craig was shocked by the murder charge and wondered if it was the same person. Ness wasn’t tough back then, he was a ‘wimp,’ not scary at all.

Jurors cleared Ness of other charges, including aggravated burglary, burglary, and having a blade. He will receive his sentence next week.

George Ness killed John Smyth. Ness became violent due to crack cocaine use. A former friend, Craig Hardy, shared this view. Ness shifted from harmless to a murderer, Craig said.

Craig knew Ness since they were teens. They lived in North Shields. Craig told the Chronicle about Ness’s change. Ness is now facing life in prison. Craig feared Ness would kill someone.

Craig thought Ness would kill. Then, he actually did. It’s awful to know this, and he feels sorry for the victim. John moved from Derby to Tyneside and died in Wallsend last September.

Ness sought drugs at Brydi Nye’s. John tried to chase him away. Ness beat John to death with wood. John was visiting Brydi at Holly Avenue when this took place.

Ness denied murder in court, but the jury found him guilty. The trial took place in Newcastle. Craig and Ness knew each other for years and hung out when young.

Craig never thought Ness could kill. Ness was a friend, and Craig got along with him. He was like a ‘lackey,’ helpful to others. He did errands for people and was never a problem back then.

Craig said Ness loved to laugh when younger. They paddled a canoe at the Royal Quays marina. Craig bought the canoe, and they had fun, but almost hit a boat.

Craig was in jail for 18 months for having an air rifle. He got out in 2021. By then, Ness had changed, and Craig heard stories about him, feeling Ness would kill someone.

Craig thinks crack was the key factor, as Ness always wanted money and was scruffy. Crack made him worse. When younger, he was funny, but then it was all about money. It was like two different men.

Craig was shocked by the murder charge and wondered if it was the same person. Ness wasn’t tough back then, he was a ‘wimp,’ not scary at all.

Jurors cleared Ness of other charges, including aggravated burglary, burglary, and having a blade. He will receive his sentence next week.