Partner of South Yorkshire murderer walks free from court after providing killer with false alibi
and live on Freeview channel 276
Sheffield Crown Court heard today, December 21, how Martin Wilson, aged 38, of Monsal Crescent, Athersley South, Barnsley, was sentenced to life imprisonment after he was found guilty by a trial jury of murdering Stephen Riley who suffered two stab wounds.
David Brooke, prosecuting, told the court phone records showed Wilson called his partner Julie Evans after the killing on the evening of June 26 and she left their home on Monsal Crescent and was spotted on CCTV with a bag. Mr Brooke added that at some point the murder weapon and the bicycle Wilson had been riding that evening were disposed of.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdBut both Wilson and Evans claimed to police they had been drinking heavily on June 25 and that they had not left their home at all on June 26.
Mr Brooke said: “She was giving Wilson an alibi at the time of the attack on Mr Riley.”
However, Mr Brooke said Wilson and Evans had left their home at different times on the evening of June 26 and returned together with the bag after midnight and both left their home again in the early hours.
Evans, aged 41, formerly of Monsal Crescent, Athersley South, Barnsley, pleaded guilty to assisting an offender purely on the basis she had lied to police that she and Wilson had stayed at home all day on June 26 and had never gone out.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdMr Brooke said the murder happened after Mr Riley had allegedly assaulted his pregnant ex-partner which had disgusted Wilson and they had argued outside Wilson’s home before he chased and stabbed Mr Riley to death in a garden on Darley Avenue, Athersley.
Wilson and his partner Julie Evans also previously alleged Mr Riley had also shown them an intimate image of his ex-partner, according to Mr Brooke, and Wilson previously told police he had been disgusted to learn Mr Riley had allegedly assaulted his ex-partner.
Wilson was sentenced to life imprisonment on December 17 and he must serve a minimum term of 25 years before he can be released.
Judge Roger Thomas QC acknowledged Evans is a recovering drug-addict who has already served three months remanded in custody awaiting sentencing before being moved into a bail hostel.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe court also heard that Evans had also claimed she had been highly intoxicated and she had not slept for a number of days at the time of her offending.
Defence barrister Gareth Henderson-Moore, representing Evans, said: “This tragic event has been something of a wake-up call for Julie Evans and she has never spent time in custody and she has had time to reflect.”
He added Evans is now drug-free and using medication and she is currently staying at a bail hostel but expects to return to her parents in Barnsley while a housing support team helps to find her accommodation elsewhere.
Judge Thomas sentenced Evans to a 12 month community order with 30-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.
