Murderers jailed for at least 48 years for beating and stabbing to death Batley man in his own home

Craig Stanton,43, of Southgate Huddersfield and Alexander MacKay, 47, of School Crescent, Dewsbury were sentenced to 25 and 23 years in prison respectively for the murder of Mr Saleem Butt from Batley in a hearing at Leeds Crown Court today ( Monday December 14).

Both had been found guilty of the 61-year-old's murder in his home on Hyrstlands Road, Batley in the early hours of April 24 this year.

Leeds Crown Court heard the men had entered Mr Butt’s home through an open window and then tied up and attacked him during a burglary.

The pair ransacked Mr Butt’s house but appear to have taken nothing of any value.

A post mortem examination showed Mr Butt died as a result of severe head and neck injuries following a sustained attack.

Both defendants were arrested a few days after the incident following a significant investigation by the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team.

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Nicholson of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, who is led the investigation, said: “The murder of Saleem Butt was a horrific offence in which Stanton and McKay subjected him to a sustained and exceptionally brutal attack in his own home.

“The level of violence they inflicted on Saleem was frankly inexplicable and point to the very real danger these two men pose.

“We welcome the strong sentences they have been given today which very much reflect the extreme gravity of their actions.”

He added: “Mr Butt was very well known and was a keen gardener who was always happy to do favours for his neighbours. I know his murder created real shock in his community and I wish to thank residents who assisted our enquiries to locate these very dangerous men.

“I hope seeing them sentenced will bring some comfort to Mr Butt’s family and those who knew and were friends with him.”