Scores of criminals have been brought to justice at Sheffield Crown Court in 2023, but the 15 defendants pictured here are the most dangerous to be jailed so far this year.
These dangerous men and women have been convicted of heinous crimes including murder, rape, terrorism and illegally manufacturing a firearm.
Some of the individuals have been sentenced to life at His Majesty's Pleasure, while others have received extended sentences due to the risk they are deemed to pose fo the public.
Between them, these 15 defendants will spend decades languishing behind bars, after receiving a combined total sentence of 248 years, 8 months.
Between them, these 15 defendants will spend decades languishing behind bars, after receiving a combined total sentence of 248 years, 8 months.
5. Dereck Owusu and Louis James: 40 years' custody for men responsible for fatal knife attack on Reece Radford
Dereck Owusu (left) and Louis James (right) were both jailed for life in May 2023, after being found guilty of murdering Reece Radford, who was fatally stabbed during an incident on Arundel Gate, Sheffield city centre in Septmber 2022. Describing the defendants' roles in the fatal incident, Judge Sarah Wright said she was ‘satisfied’ James, of Strathmore Grove, Wath-upon-Dearne stabbed Mr Radford in the chest with a knife he brought to the scene, and subsequently disposed of in a nearby drain following the fatal incident, while Owusu, of Manor Lane, Park Hill, Sheffield kicked Mr Radford to the head ‘three or four times’. Judge Wright told the pair: “You both set about him…he found himself face up on the floor, subjected to serious violence perpetrated by both of you.” Prosecuting barrister, David Tempkin KC, said it was the Crown’s case that the ‘catalyst’ for Mr Radford, who was from the Hillsborough area of the city, becoming involved in an altercation with the two defendants was Owusu’s violence towards a young girl. "The defendants were angry with Mr Radford for becoming involved, and also because of his earlier remarks suggesting she [the girl punched by Owusu] was 'sh**ing those African b******s,' Mr Temkin told the court. Judge Wright sent the pair to begin their life sentences in a hearing held on Thursday, May 4, 2022 and fixed minimum term for James, then aged 47, at 25 years, while Owusu, then aged 40, was told he must spend at least 15 years behind bars
6. Graeme Reed: Child rapist jailed after being found guilty of sex attacks
South Yorkshire Police have commended the "immense bravery" of a young child, after a Rotherham man was jailed for rape. Graeme Reed, aged 37, of Maltby, Rotherham, was found guilty of two counts of the rape of a child under 13-years-old during a hearing at Sheffield Crown Court on Thursday, July 13, 2023. His conviction came after a three-day trial and six hours of jury deliberations. PC Ethan Knight, who investigated Reed's crimes, said: “It is difficult to put into words the level of trauma and suffering Reed’s young victim has experienced. It is simply unimaginable. The judge sentenced Reed to 19 years in prison, plus an additional year on licence. He has also been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life and given a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
7. Sheffield pervert jailed after raping a teenage girl and sexually assaulting another victim
Sheffield Crown Court heard on March 15, 2023 how Anthony Woodward, then aged 60, of Hatfield House Lane, Shiregreen, Sheffield, was found guilty after a trial of raping a 17-year-old girl, plus three other sex offences against her. Woodward was also found guilty of two counts of sexual assault and two counts of attempted sexual assault against another girl who was also aged around 17 at the time. Judge Rachael Harrison said: “The author of the pre-sentence report assesses your behaviour as premeditated and I agree. You abused your power.” Woodward had told his rape victim he had something to tell her before he raped her and offered to pay her money afterwards, according to Judge Harrison. This complainant stated: “I was diagnosed with PTSD by a psychiatrist. Every day I have flashbacks about what happened.” She added that she has been left struggling with sleep and day-to-day activities and she finds it very difficult to trust anyone. This same complainant said she told police what had happened and she was determined to continue with the case not just for herself but to make sure Woodward did not commit further offences. Judge Harrison sentenced Woodward to 15-and-half years of custody and ordered that he be made subject to a 15-year restraining order.
8. Cyrus Scarborough: Woman, 28, jailed for ‘unprovoked’ attacks on men in Sheffield – blinding one and stabbing other
Cyrus Scarborough, aged 28, has now been jailed at Sheffield Crown Court for the attacks, after a judge passed an 18 year jail term. The court heard how South Yorkshire Police were called to London Road at around 3am on Sunday, April 24, after reports that a man had been attacked in a pub. The jury was told Scarborough had launched an unprovoked attack on her victim, pushing him to the floor, whilst shouting 'I'm going to kill you'. Scarborough sat on top of her victim, before pushing her fingers into the victim's eyes, causing the man, aged in his 50s, to permanently lose his sight in one eye. She was restrained by members of the public and arrested by officers at the scene. Just two days later on Tuesday, April 26, Scarborough was at a friend’s house when she attacked another man. She attacked him with a knife, stabbing him three times in his chest, neck and head and also breaking a glass bottle on the back of his head. The victim, a man in his 30s, sustained serious cuts, but went on to make a full recovery. Investigating officer, PC Hollie Winkless, said: “Scarborough’s victim. On Tuesday June 27, 2023 she was jailed for 18 years at Sheffield Crown Court, with 13 years to be served in custody and five years on extended licence.