Each of the women pictured here have been sent to begin lengthy prison sentences during Sheffield Crown Court hearings held over the last 17 years.
The longest sentence passed down is to Sarah Barrass, who, in 2019, was ordered to serve a minimum of 35 years behind bars for the murder of two of her sons, Tristan and Blake, aged 13 and 14 respectively. She killed the boys alongside her half-brother and lover Brandon Machin, who fathered all six of her children, after they became concerned social services may have learned of their unnatural relationship. The murderous pair also attempted to kill their other four children.
Also included are Zoe Rider and Nicola Lethbridge who were jailed for a combined total of 52 years last year for the “callous” and “sadistic” murder of their neighbour, 60-year-old Stephen Mark Koszyczarski. The two women “invaded his home, intent on helping themselves to his property” by threatening and using violence against him , before “setting about him in the most brutal, heartless and despicable manner.”
Leonie Mason was just 23-years-old when she was jailed for life in 2017, to serve a minimum of 19 years behind bars, for the murder of her on-and-off again ex-boyfriend, Craig Preston. She teamed up with her jealous new lover Shiraz Bashir, along with three teenage accomplices, to kill Mr Preston, before disposing of his body in a lay-by, off Town Lane, Rotherham.
Amanda Spencer was also just 23 when she was first convicted of multiple crimes in 2014 after she forced vulnerable girls who visited Sheffield’s Castle Market, which has since been demolished, into prostitution. Three years later, Spencer had more time added to her sentence - taking her total sentence to 15 years - after she was convicted of further offences relating to child prostitution at the conclusion of a 2017 trial.
9. Amanda Spencer: 15 years' custody for woman who lured vulnerable Sheffield girls into prostitution
Amanda Spencer was jailed for 12 years in 2014, then aged 23, after being found guilty of 14 charges relating to the facilitation of child sexual abuse in Sheffield at the conclusion of a trial at Sheffield Crown Court. Spencer, formerly of Canklow Road, Canklow, Rotherham, had her sentence extended by a further three years in 2017, following another trial at Sheffield Crown Court, after jurors found her guilty of another three offences concerning the facilitation of child abuse. During the course of Spencer's trials, Sheffield Crown Court heard how she was just 16-years-old herself when she began befriending vulnerable young girls - some of whom were as young as 13 - before grooming them, and forcing them to have sex for money | 3rd party
10. Sarah Barrass: Jailed for life, to serve a minimum of 35 years, for murdering two of her children and attempting to murder the other four
Sheffield was left in a state of shock and utter disbelief after learning that Tristan, aged 13, and 14-year-old Blake Barrass had been murdered at a house in Gregg House Road, Shiregreen on May 24, 2019. The case took another devastating turn when their parents, Sarah Barrass and Brandon Machin, were subsequently charged with, and pleaded guilty to, murdering the two boys. In November 2019, Barrass and Machin, who are half brother and sister, were jailed for life and each ordered to serve a minimum of 35 years behind bars for murdering Blake and Tristan, and attempting to murder their other four children. Their sentences were among the longest ever handed down in Sheffield. The court was told how the incestuous couple hatched the plan to kill their six children, after becoming fearful of the consequences of their romantic relationship being exposed. Prosecutor Kama Melly QC said at the time: “It is the Crown’s case that although the defendants were motivated to prevent the loss of their children to the care of the local authority, this was combined with their fear of the local authorities becoming aware of their unnatural relationship.” | SYP
11. Alison Moss: Jailed for life, to serve a minimum of 29 years, for brutal murder of defenceless man
Craig Wild was murdered on August 25, 2016 by Alison Moss and David Webster, who were in a relationship. The 47-year-old was attacked with a Stanley knife, razor and screwdriver. He was stabbed and kicked to death by the pair and a post mortem examination revealed a total of 117 wounds over his body. Webster pleaded guilty while Moss denied the offence but was found guilty after a trial. In March 2017, Moss, then 46 and from Walkley, and David Webster, then 49 and from Hillsborough, were jailed over the horror attack. Moss, who was given the nickname ‘slasher’ by Mr Wild after she attacked him with a knife on a previous occasion, received a life sentence and was ordered to serve a minimum of 29 years behind bars. Webster was told he must serve a minimum of 24. Moss had claimed she had been sat on the settee during the incident, shielding her hands with her face while Webster murdered Mr Wild. She also claimed she had slipped on blood while trying to escape, and fell onto Mr Wild. Moss and Webster had been drinking and taking drugs on the day of the murder at Moss’ home on Fox Walk. Mr Wild had called at the property and an argument later broke out, which escalated into horrific violence. Detective Chief Inspector Dave Stopford, of South Yorkshire Police, said at the time that Webster was a “dangerous man” who had “shown absolutely no remorse for his actions” and had “appeared proud” of his actions. Moss denied any involvement but the forensic evidence found on shoes and clothing proved that she had participated in the “brutal murder,” the detective said. | SYP