Dore Road shooting: Exclusive street was scene of one of most shocking crimes in Sheffield

On-the-run criminal Arthur Hutchinson is serving a whole life sentence for the murders of three members of a wealthy Sheffield family in 1983.

He went to ground after escaping from a police station in Selby, where he faced charges of theft, burglary and rape, by climbing through a toilet window.

After three and a half weeks on the run, Hutchinson - who had already served five years in prison for attempting to murder his brother-in-law – found himself in Sheffield and broke into the home of Basil Laitner, aged 59, in Dore, which he shared with his wife Avril, 55, and their son Richard, 28, on October 23.

He struck just hours after the Mr and Mrs Laitner had hosted a wedding reception for their daughter.

But during the burglary he stabbed the couple and their son and raped another victim.

Nicknamed ‘The Fox’, Hutchinson then went on the run again, assuming a number of disguises as he travelled across the country for 39 days in a bid to evade arrest.

When he was eventually tracked down he was convicted of three counts of murder and one rape in September 1984.

He was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 18 years - meaning he could have been released in 2002.

But the then home secretary, Leon Brittan, intervened and made Hutchinson the subject of a rare whole life order, meaning he will never be set free.

COURT: Ex-Sheffield Wednesday player warned he could face jail over assault

LATEST: House taped off and under police guard after shooting on one of Sheffield's most exclusive streets

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.