Arno Engels, a 40-year-old man of no fixed address, was jailed for two years and four months on 30 April 2026 at Hove Crown Court after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of Anthony “Tony” Scarrott, an 80-year-old man from Worthing, West Sussex. Engels had rented a room from Scarrott and the two had become close friends, regularly drinking and taking cocaine together — until a single fatal slap in September 2025 led to Scarrott’s death three days later.

Who Is Arno Engels?

Arno Engels is a 40-year-old man who, at the time of the offence, had no fixed address. He had met Anthony Scarrott by chance outside a pub in 2024 and the two men developed an unlikely friendship. Scarrott, who was 80 years old, allowed Engels to rent a room at his Worthing home. The arrangement gave Engels somewhere to live, and the two men spent considerable time together, regularly consuming alcohol and cocaine.

Engels had initially pleaded not guilty to murder when he appeared at Lewes Crown Court in December 2025. He subsequently changed his plea, admitting manslaughter at Hove Crown Court on 30 January 2026. He was sentenced on 30 April 2026 by Judge Henson at Hove Crown Court.

What Happened to Anthony Scarrott?

On an evening in September 2025, Anthony Scarrott returned home drunk. A confrontation took place between Scarrott and Engels, during which Engels struck Scarrott with a slap across the face. The force of the blow caused Scarrott to fall and hit his head on a table or surface, fracturing the top of his spine. The injury left Scarrott paralysed.

Anthony Scarrott was taken to hospital but his injuries proved fatal. Three days after the incident, his life support was withdrawn and he died. He has been described as a friendly and sociable man who had welcomed Engels into his home and treated him as a friend. The case was described in court as “tragic and distressing” — an outcome caused not by a sustained or premeditated attack, but by a single blow with catastrophic consequences.

Guilty Plea and Court Proceedings

Engels was arrested following the death of Anthony Scarrott and initially charged with murder. When he first appeared at Lewes Crown Court on 5 December 2025, he entered a not guilty plea to the murder charge. However, on 30 January 2026 at Hove Crown Court, Engels entered a guilty plea to the lesser charge of manslaughter — an offence that does not require the prosecution to prove intent to kill, but does require proof that the defendant caused death through an unlawful act or through gross negligence.

The prosecution accepted the guilty plea to manslaughter and did not proceed with the murder charge. The case was adjourned for sentencing, which took place on 30 April 2026.

Sentencing

On 30 April 2026, Arno Engels was sentenced to two years and four months in prison by Judge Henson at Hove Crown Court. The sentence reflected the serious nature of the offence — a death caused by an unlawful act — while also taking into account the circumstances of the case, including the fact that there was no sustained assault and that Engels had pleaded guilty, which typically attracts a discount on the sentence.

The case attracted significant local attention in West Sussex, where Anthony Scarrott had lived. A community figure known in the Worthing area, Scarrott was described with great affection by those who knew him. Engels will serve his sentence in custody, and standard release provisions mean he would typically be considered for release at the halfway point of his sentence. Our guide explains how booking a prison visit works for those with family members in custody, and how sending money to a prisoner can be arranged through official channels.

Manslaughter and the Law in England

Manslaughter is a serious criminal offence in England and Wales that covers cases where a person causes the death of another without the specific intent required for murder. There are two main forms: voluntary manslaughter, which applies where a murder charge is reduced due to factors such as loss of control or diminished responsibility; and involuntary manslaughter, which covers cases where death results from an unlawful act (unlawful act manslaughter) or from gross negligence.

Arno Engels was convicted of unlawful act manslaughter — his act of striking Anthony Scarrott was an unlawful assault, and that assault caused Scarrott’s death. Although no intention to kill was required, the offence is treated seriously by the courts, and Engels received a custodial sentence reflecting the gravity of causing another person’s death. Under sentencing guidelines in England and Wales, manslaughter sentences vary widely depending on the level of culpability, harm caused, and aggravating or mitigating factors. Those concerned about a loved one’s release can read our guide to the Parole Board process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Arno Engels in prison?

Arno Engels is in prison after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of Anthony Scarrott, an 80-year-old man from Worthing. He was sentenced to two years and four months in prison on 30 April 2026 at Hove Crown Court. He struck Scarrott with a slap that caused him to fall and fracture his spine, and Scarrott died three days later.

Who was Anthony Scarrott?

Anthony “Tony” Scarrott was an 80-year-old man from Worthing, West Sussex, who died in September 2025 after being struck by Arno Engels, a man he had befriended and allowed to rent a room in his home. He has been described as a friendly and sociable person who was well-known in the local community.

What is the difference between murder and manslaughter?

Murder requires the prosecution to prove that the defendant intended to kill or cause serious bodily harm. Manslaughter does not require proof of that specific intent. Unlawful act manslaughter applies where a person commits an unlawful act that causes another person’s death, even if they did not intend for death to occur. Engels was charged with murder initially but pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

How long will Arno Engels serve in prison?

Arno Engels was sentenced to two years and four months. Under standard release provisions in England and Wales, he would ordinarily be considered for release at the halfway point of his sentence, subject to licence conditions and any applicable risk assessment.

Where was Arno Engels sentenced?

Arno Engels was sentenced on 30 April 2026 at Hove Crown Court in East Sussex, before Judge Henson. He had earlier appeared at Lewes Crown Court, where he initially entered a not guilty plea to murder before changing his plea to guilty of manslaughter in January 2026.