Several incredible and beloved individuals have lost their lives on Sheffield's streets this year.
Christmas should be a time of joy and togetherness.
But following killings carried out on Sheffield's streets during the course of 2023, a number of families will be experiencing heartache instead this festive period.
In each of these cases, police have launched criminal investigations.
While some families have been delivered justice after their loved one's killer, or killers, were convicted, others are still waiting to be given the closure that can come with learning how someone came by their death.
Where possible, we have included incident numbers for the ongoing investigations.
Please call South Yorkshire Police on 101 if you have information that could help.
In each of these cases, police have launched criminal investigations.
5. Roger Leadbeater
74-year-old Roger Leadbeater was fatally stabbed while walking his beloved springer spaniel, Max, in parkland off Shortbrook Close in the Westfield area of Sheffield on Wednesday, August 9, 2023.
Emma Borowy, aged 32, of Fearnhead Close in Bolton, was charged with murder in the days following Mr Leadbeater's death, and was subsequently remanded into custody.
Ms Borowy died on December 12, 2023, while on remand at HMP New Hall in Wakefield, West Yorkshire.
During a Sheffield Crown Court hearing held on Monday, December 18, 2023, prosecutor Peter Makepeace KC, said Ms Borowy died as a result of a 'suspected suicide,' adding that the circumstances of her death will now be reviewed by a coroner.
Announcing Ms Borowy's death, a South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said that no-one else was being sought in connection with Mr Leadbeater's death, and the 'investigation has been closed'. The SYP spokesperson continued: "Files for the coroner will be prepared in relation to both deaths.
"Our thoughts remain with all those affected."
Jurors at Sheffield Crown Court heard how during the final moments of his life, 17-year-old Mohammed Iqbal - known to his loved ones as Nasser - phoned the emergency services in a desperate attempt to ask for help, after being stabbed during an altercation on the main road through the Crookes suburb. Peshawa Ghaffour went on trial accused of Mohammed’s murder in November 2023, after denying the offence, but jurors found him guilty of the lesser offence of manslaughter, following 14 hours and five minutes of deliberation. Jurors were told how in the moments before the fatal stabbing on May 25, 2023, Ghaffour had visited the Indian Chef restaurant in Crookes, and had been involved in an argument with one of its employees, a woman with whom he had been in a relationship. She subsequently phoned her son, and he soon arrived on the scene with Mohammed. Judge Peter Kelson KC said of the events that followed: “You had an argument with [the woman], causing her to phone her son. You saw her making those phone calls, and because of your fear, you armed yourself with a knife taken from the restaurant where the argument took place.” “Instead of leaving in the vehicle you and your friend arrived in, you, having taken and concealed a knife, chose to remain in the area.”
As Peshawa Ghaffour was sentenced to seven years behind bars, Judge Kelson told him: “No sentence I can pass can come anywhere near to affording any comfort to Nasser’s family.”
Liam Jones assaulted Richard Wheeler close to The Bessemer pub in Sheffield city centre, at around 11.10pm on Saturday, July 15, 2023.
Mr Wheeler fell, hitting the back of his head on the pavement. He was taken to hospital in critical condition, where he died ten days later.
Jones pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter, two counts of Grievous Bodily Harm, one count of Actual Bodily Harm, one count of Possession of an Offence Weapon, and one of Affray.
He has been jailed for seven years, with an extended three years on licence in the community.
Mr Wheeler’s family said in a statement: “Please be respectful for the grieving family and friends of Rich who was a deeply loved and very liked man.
“He went out for a night out and never came home, no one should lose a loved one in this way. His spirit will always be with us”.
Mum-of-three Emily Sanderson, aged 50, was described by her loved ones as "the heart of our family" and an "incredible person" with many friends, cherished relationships and lots to give.
At Sheffield Crown Court on October 6, 2023, her family had to hear a telephone recording of how she met her end at the hands of Mark Nicholls, 43, at his home in Crofton Avenue, Hillsborough, which has now seen him jailed for a minimum of 17 years.
The court heard how Emily took work as an escort and that her killer, Mark Nicholls - a crack cocaine user - was an occasional customer.
Prosecutor Mr Sam Green KC described how Emily arrived at Nicholls' home on Crofton Avenue at 7.30pm on May 19, then made a phone call to a Sheffield taxi firm at 8.43pm.
In it, Emily chats with the operator and asks for a ride to Gleadless - when Nicholls' voice cuts in, calling her a "robbing bitch".
Mr Green told the court: "There were sounds of a muffled scream and a disturbance, and later a raised, high-pitched voice saying 'no'.
"Then, we hear the sound of four, hard, thuds, in the background."
The call was then cut off.
Mr Green told the court how the thuds on the call were the sounds of Emily being bludgeoned to death with a dumbbell.
A post-mortem examination later ruled Emily was struck at least 13 times in the head when she was killed.
Nicholls pleaded guilty to her murder on September 8. At the sentencing, the court heard how he now accepts Emily did not threaten him with a knife, and that he was drunk and high on crack cocaine during the murder.