Sheffield man remains on the run after accomplice is jailed for life for murder

Abdi Ali, aged 29, is wanted for questioning over the murder of 47-year-old Shaun Lyall who was battered to death in Cleethorpes in July last year.

He is believed to hold vital information and has been described as a ‘significant suspect’.

Craig Whittle 45, of Corporation Road, Grimsby, was jailed for life yesterday for his part in the murder and ordered to spend a minimum of 21 years behind bars.

Jurors in his trial heard the prosecution claim that Whittle and Ali were both responsible for the attack, which involved the use of golf clubs, screwdrivers, a knife, scissors and length of wood.

The motive for murder is said to have been missing drugs and cash that Mr Lyall was supposed to have been looking after.

Judge Paul Watson QC, sitting at Hull Crown Court, described the attack on Mr Lyall as having all the ‘hallmarks of extreme violence’ and said it was a ‘ferocious and sustained attack’.

Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Dickinson said: “The sentencing of Craig Whittle brings to a close part of a lengthy investigation into Shaun Lyall’s death, which was a particularly brutal and unnecessary one.

“Shaun suffered horrendous injuries before he died in what was a sustained and deliberate attack. Craig Whittle has now been given life behind bars for the part he played in Shaun’s murder.

“I want to thank Shaun’s family for their strength and dignity throughout this trial, as they have had to hear horrific accounts of what happened on that day in July 2018.

“I hope this brings some closure to them, and that one person has been brought to account and found guilty for what happened to Shaun.

”I would also like to thank my officers who have worked tirelessly on this investigation, and for their hard work in bringing Craig Whittle before the court which has ultimately resulted in a life sentence for murder."

Serena Lyall, Mr Lyall's mother, said: "What happened to Shaun will haunt me for the rest of my life and I feel appalled at the sickening depravity inflicted on my son. He did not deserve it.

“I could only dream that this day would come and it has. I know we could never bring Shaun back but I want to thank all the people that have brought me, my family and Shaun some closure and justice.”

She said she is confident that there ‘will be no let-up in the enquiries to bring anyone involved in his death to justice, however long it takes’.

Suspect Ali, who is originally from Somalia, moved to Sheffield as a child before moving to the east coast in the summer of 2018.