Family of South Yorkshire man stabbed to death reveal heartache - "We have all lost a huge part of our lives"

Sheffield Crown Court heard today, December 17, how Martin Wilson, aged 38, of Monsal Crescent, Athersley South, Barnsley, was sentenced to a minimum of 25 years behind bars after he was found guilty of murdering Stephen Riley who died after suffering two stab wounds.

David Brooke QC, prosecuting, had previously told the trial that Mr Riley had visited Wilson’s home before the defendant came out and tracked him down to a garden Darley Avenue, where he stabbed him to death.

Mr Riley’s brother Andrew told the court: “We have all lost a huge part of our lives now that Stephen is no longer with us. The death of Stephen has had a huge impact on the lives of the family.”

Andrew Riley confirmed that Stephen, a trained mechanic and fire safety technician, had suffered the loss of a child and the breakdown of a relationship and that was sadly why he became involved with drugs.

He added that he has suffered sleeplessness nights since his brother’s death and when he has slept he has suffered nightmares.

Stephen Riley’s mother also stated she has been left confused and strugglung with her emotions since Stephen’s death.

She added: “I don’t yet feel hate towards the person who took Stephen away from me but I am not sure if this is because I feel totally numb. Nobody has the right to take Stephen’s life.”

Mr Brooke said a resident had called police and they found Mr Riley, aged 43, slumped over a small garden wall at the front of the caller’s property during the evening of June 26.

Mr Riley had a stab wound through his ribs, left lung and heart as well as a second stab wound to his back, according to Mr Brooke, and he was later pronounced dead at Barnsley Hospital.

Mr Brooke had told the jury Wilson had been disgusted to learn Mr Riley had been arrested for allegedly assaulting his pregnant ex-partner which he had denied but Wilson attacked and murdered Mr Riley after he was realeased on bail.

Wilson had initially claimed he and his partner had been drinking heavily on June 25 and he had not left home on June 26 and he later claimed he had acted in self-defence suggesting Mr Riley had possessed the knife but Judge Roger Thomas QC ruled this out.

The court heard Wilson and his partner Julie Evans disposed of the murder weapon and Evans, also of Monsal Crescent, has pleaded guilty to asssiting an offender and will be sentenced on December 21.

Before sentencing, Wilson told the court: “Can I just say for what part I played in the incident, I’m really sorry to his family, his friends, his kids.”

Judge Roger Thomas QC sentenced Wilson to life imprisonment and stressed he must serve a minimum term of 25 years before he can be released.

Wilson also breached a suspended prison sentence which had been imposed for wounding and he was additionally sentenced to 58 weeks of custody to be served concurrently.

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