A killer alcoholic who beat a former head chef to death in a 'fierce, sustained and relentless' attack has been jailed for life. Adam Rowson used Alexis De Naray's bank card to buy alcohol and scratchcards after leaving him for dead in an abandoned garage in Shrewsbury in June 2025.
The 26-year-old left his victim with a traumatic brain injury and 20 rib fractures, three of which happened after his death. The victim also suffered multiple injuries to his head, torso and upper limbs, associated with stamping or kicks or strikes with objects. A post-mortem examination indicated Mr De Naray had defensive injuries to his back consistent with him being in a foetal position to protect himself.
Rowson, of no fixed address, was convicted by jurors of murder following a trial at Stafford Crown Court. He was jailed for life, with a minimum term of 16 years, on Wednesday, May 6. The defendant, who wore glasses and a blue T-shirt with a collar in the dock, showed no emotion and nodded his head as he was jailed.
The court heard Mr De Naray, who was also an alcoholic, studied at Leiths School of Food and Wine and previously worked at Claridge's. Sentencing, Judge Avik Mukherjee said Rowson 'callously' used the victim's card and 'freely spent his money on anything that pleased him' until he was stopped by the bank.
Rowson and Mr De Naray, 45, met at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in the early hours of June 24 last year. Within a short period of time, Rowson had offered the victim a place to stay for one night. Judge Mukherjee told him: 'By the time you left him in the disused garage, probably on June 25, he had been so severely beaten by you he was dying or dead. You left him in that physical state. Rather than calling for help, you left him to die. You covered his body because you knew what you had done to him.'
In a statement read to the court, Alexandros De Naray said his older brother was 'one of the most caring and loving people I have ever known'. He said: 'He was my best friend I loved him more than I could ever explain. I think every day how I can never see him again and one of the people I loved most in the world has been taken away from me in such a horrible way. I can only hope he felt no pain in his last moments and he is now at peace.'
The victim's father Constantine De Naray said his son was 'funny, kind, thoughtful, generous and a loving son'. He said: 'My wonderful boy did not deserve to lose his life... He was a dear son who we will forever miss. He was a very talented chef who worked in London until he became unwell and moved to Shrewsbury to be close to family. He was gradually getting better when he sadly lost his life. No parent should have to bury a child, more especially in these horrendous circumstances.'
Judge Mukherjee said: 'It is clear the person they knew and loved so very dearly was warm, kind-hearted, compassionate and courageous. He never gave up on people. He was a damaged and vulnerable person who was struggling with alcoholism up until his passing.' The judge added: 'He was a survivor and he survived up until he had the misfortune of meeting you.'
The judge said Rowson was fully aware he had killed Mr De Naray but did not dial 999 for days, instead pretending he had found the body. He also threw away a T-shirt he had been wearing, which the judge said showed how 'forensically astute your thinking was at the time'. Rowson was said to have told a friend: 'Have you heard about the situation, it got bad bro, I don't even want to go home because I think I killed someone.'
Judge Mukherjee told him: 'You lied to the emergency services, you lied to police at the scene. Only you know the full detail of what you did. I'm sure you have not told the truth at any stage about the assault on Alexis.'
Michelle Heeley KC, defending, said Rowson was sorry and alcohol and drugs contributed 'significantly' to what he had done. She said: 'Through me he would like to apologise... he recognises the pain he has caused the family. He is still a relatively young man, 26 now and not particularly mature. While in custody he has found a job... he is trying to pay his debt in some minor way. The structure has benefitted him. He is clean now of drink and drugs. He can say no more other than he is sorry and accepts the punishment of the court.'
