Couple who murdered Barnsley pensioner John Gogarty given life sentences

A Barnsley couple have been given life sentences for the ‘frenzied’ murder of a pensioner.
John GogartyJohn Gogarty
John Gogarty

Ian Birley, 43, and his girlfriend and Helen Nichols, 38, both of Mont Walk, Wombwell, denied murdering John Gogarty but were found guilty following a trial.

Birley will never be eligible for release from prison again and Nichols must serve 20 years before she is eligible for release from prison.

Helen Nichols who has been found guilty of the murder of John Gogarty after a three week trial at Sheffield Crown Court. See Ross Parry copy RPYMURDER : Two people have been found guilty of the murder of a South Yorkshire pensioner. Ian Birley, 43, and his girlfriend and Helen Nichols, 38, both of Mont Walk, Wombwell, both denied murdering John Gogarty. The 65-year-old property developer died as a result of the injuries he sustained in the attack at his home in Marsh Street, Wombwell on the evening of July 13 this year. Mr Gogartys body was discovered four days later by his son John Jr, who found his father lying on the floor covered in blood. Birley and Nichols were both found guilty following a three-week trial at Sheffield Crown Court.Helen Nichols who has been found guilty of the murder of John Gogarty after a three week trial at Sheffield Crown Court. See Ross Parry copy RPYMURDER : Two people have been found guilty of the murder of a South Yorkshire pensioner. Ian Birley, 43, and his girlfriend and Helen Nichols, 38, both of Mont Walk, Wombwell, both denied murdering John Gogarty. The 65-year-old property developer died as a result of the injuries he sustained in the attack at his home in Marsh Street, Wombwell on the evening of July 13 this year. Mr Gogartys body was discovered four days later by his son John Jr, who found his father lying on the floor covered in blood. Birley and Nichols were both found guilty following a three-week trial at Sheffield Crown Court.
Helen Nichols who has been found guilty of the murder of John Gogarty after a three week trial at Sheffield Crown Court. See Ross Parry copy RPYMURDER : Two people have been found guilty of the murder of a South Yorkshire pensioner. Ian Birley, 43, and his girlfriend and Helen Nichols, 38, both of Mont Walk, Wombwell, both denied murdering John Gogarty. The 65-year-old property developer died as a result of the injuries he sustained in the attack at his home in Marsh Street, Wombwell on the evening of July 13 this year. Mr Gogartys body was discovered four days later by his son John Jr, who found his father lying on the floor covered in blood. Birley and Nichols were both found guilty following a three-week trial at Sheffield Crown Court.
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Birley was also given a concurrent jail term of 16 years for robbery and Nichols was given 12 years.

The 65-year-old property developer died as a result of the injuries he sustained in an attack at his home in Marsh Street, Wombwell on the evening of July 13 this year.

Mr Gogarty’s body was discovered four days later by his son John Jr, who found his father lying on the floor ‘covered in blood’.

In a statement read out at Sheffield Crown Court by his daughter Nicola, Mr Gogarty was described as a ‘wonderful, kind, funny and generous’ man.

Ian Birley who has been found guilty of the murder of John Gogarty after a three week trial at Sheffield Crown Court. See Ross Parry copy RPYMURDER : Two people have been found guilty of the murder of a South Yorkshire pensioner. Ian Birley, 43, and his girlfriend and Helen Nichols, 38, both of Mont Walk, Wombwell, both denied murdering John Gogarty. The 65-year-old property developer died as a result of the injuries he sustained in the attack at his home in Marsh Street, Wombwell on the evening of July 13 this year. Mr Gogartys body was discovered four days later by his son John Jr, who found his father lying on the floor covered in blood. Birley and Nichols were both found guilty following a three-week trial at Sheffield Crown Court.Ian Birley who has been found guilty of the murder of John Gogarty after a three week trial at Sheffield Crown Court. See Ross Parry copy RPYMURDER : Two people have been found guilty of the murder of a South Yorkshire pensioner. Ian Birley, 43, and his girlfriend and Helen Nichols, 38, both of Mont Walk, Wombwell, both denied murdering John Gogarty. The 65-year-old property developer died as a result of the injuries he sustained in the attack at his home in Marsh Street, Wombwell on the evening of July 13 this year. Mr Gogartys body was discovered four days later by his son John Jr, who found his father lying on the floor covered in blood. Birley and Nichols were both found guilty following a three-week trial at Sheffield Crown Court.
Ian Birley who has been found guilty of the murder of John Gogarty after a three week trial at Sheffield Crown Court. See Ross Parry copy RPYMURDER : Two people have been found guilty of the murder of a South Yorkshire pensioner. Ian Birley, 43, and his girlfriend and Helen Nichols, 38, both of Mont Walk, Wombwell, both denied murdering John Gogarty. The 65-year-old property developer died as a result of the injuries he sustained in the attack at his home in Marsh Street, Wombwell on the evening of July 13 this year. Mr Gogartys body was discovered four days later by his son John Jr, who found his father lying on the floor covered in blood. Birley and Nichols were both found guilty following a three-week trial at Sheffield Crown Court.
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She said she will never forgive Birley for what he has done and branded him a cowards.

She added Nichols and Birley ‘should never have been on the streets’.

Justice King said the defenceless Mr Gogarty was killed in a ‘frenzied’ attack.

He told Birley: “You have never shown any remorse for this killing and have chosen to fight this case to its conclusion.”

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He added that Nichols’ role in the murder was ‘considerably less’ than Birley’s but she should be ashamed that she did nothing to assist Mr Gogarty.

Following the verdicts, the jury was told that Birley was out on licence for another murder at the time of the attack.

His first victim Maurice Hoyle was also killed in his own home in a sustained attack and then robbed.

As in this case, Birley tried to sell the victim’s stolen property and burnt clothing worn during the killing.

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The court also heard that Nichols has previously been to jail seven times and has 40 convictions, mainly for shoplifting offences.

Birley was also found guilty of robbing Mr Gogarty. Nicholas had earlier pleaded guilty to the same charge.

During the three-week trial, the jury heard the couple had robbed him to pay off a £500 drugs debt to a Sheffield drugs dealer.

Mr Gogarty was stabbed 69 times, with ‘numerous’ stab wounds inflicted while he was lying on the floor.

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The court heard that Nichols accepted she was at the scene but said she played no part in the murder, which she said was committed by Birley.

Birley said he had nothing to do with the murder and denied being at the scene.

During the investigation, police officers searched the property and found several distinctive, expensive were missing.

Detectives also found a £500 ATM receipt from Barclays Bank on Wombwell High Street dated 6.53pm on Monday July, 13.

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CCTV of the ATM machine showed Nichols withdrawing £500 from Mr Gogarty’s account.

Further CCTV showed Birley and Nichols walking onto Marsh Street at around 6.40pm and leaving Marsh Street at around 7.08pm on July 13.

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