'The pain and suffering he endured will haunt us forever' - family of murdered Batley man speak out

Scott Crutchley, Jordan Metcalfe and Nathan Redmond were handed life sentences on Friday over the horrific killing of Jonathan Dews at his home on Brighton Street, Wakefield.

Mr Dews, 42, was tied up, slashed and hit with house bricks before his body was dragged into a cellar and set alight.

The killers carried out the cocaine and booze-fuelled killing with "explosive violence" before fleeing in a taxi to Scarborough, where they were later arrested.

Speaking after the sentencing on Friday, the family of Mr Dews released a statement.

They said: "Today, we have got justice for Jonathan.

"Words cannot describe the torment of losing him in such horrific, brutal circumstances.

"The pain and suffering he endured throughout that night will haunt us forever.

"The trial has been harrowing for us, an ordeal that no family should ever have to go through.

"Jonathan was a kind, caring person who would do anything for anyone, a quality that we all admired.

"We would like to say thank you to everyone involved in the investigation who helped to bring Jonathan’s killers to justice."

Jordan Metcalfe 24, Nathan Redmond 21, and Scott Crutchley 24, all from the Wakefield area were found guilty on Thursday by a jury at Leeds Crown Court for the murder of Mr Dews, 42, who was found badly beaten at his home on Brighton Street.

Emergency services were called to the house on Brighton Street on September 6 at 6am to reports of a fire. On arrival officers found the body of Mr Dews in the cellar of the property.

A murder investigation was then launched.

Metcalfe, Redmond and Crutchley were all arrested later that day in Scarborough.

A forensic post mortem concluded that Mr Dews died from head and neck injuries.

On Friday. the three men were sentenced at Leeds Crown Court.

Metcalfe was jailed for life with a minimum 27 years. Redmond was jailed for life with a minimum 27 years. Crutchley was jailed for life with a minimum of 21 years.

Det Supt Nicola Bryar the Senior Investigating officer in the case said: "Jonathan Dews was subjected to a horrific and sustained attack, by people he thought were his friends and he could trust.

"All three men attempted to cover their tracks and all lied and blamed each other for the killing.

"They tried to destroy evidence by setting fire to the property and tried to evade justice by fleeing to Scarborough.

"They have shown no remorse for their actions and continued to lie throughout the court case.

"Jonathan’s family have had to endure the horrific details of the violent and prolonged attack that he suffered.

"They have been left absolutely devastated by his death and I hope this sentence gives them some comfort and closure, for what has been a harrowing trial to sit through."