Birstall man's murderers committed acts which were among the worst officers have witnessed in policing careers

Kiyran Earnshaw, 18, of Field Lane, Batley, and Luke Gaukroger, 16, from Arthur Street, Huddersfield were both sentenced at Leeds Crown Court after pleading guilty to the murder of 53-year-old Robert Wilson in Linthwaite on January 16, 2020.

Earnshaw also pleaded guilty to a Section 18 assault on Mr John Badejo, another victim of the incident.

Earnshaw was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 21 years and 140 days for the murder and 9 years for the Section 18 assault to run concurrently while Gaukroger was sentenced to life with a minimum jail term of 16 years and 17 days.

DCI Marc Bowes of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, Senior Investigating Officer in the case, said: “The murder of Mr Wilson and the serious assault on Mr Badejo were truly dreadful offences in what was a horrendous incident for the community of Linthwaite.

"It is no exaggeration to say the level of violence used by these males in the attacks was absolutely barbaric.

"They both acted in a manner which many of us would struggle to comprehend and committed acts which were among the worst that I and other members of my investigation team have witnessed in our policing careers. Thankfully such acts are very rare occurrences in today’s society.”

He added: "We can't begin to imagine the appalling impact Mr Wilson's murder has had on his family. Their courage and dignity in coping with such a traumatic event has been immense.”

"Nothing can alter the tragic outcome of this night but I do sincerely hope that the family of Robert, Mr Badejo and his wider family, and all those affected by this senseless incident can take some measure of comfort in seeing these two individuals jailed for such a long period."