Shiregreen murders: police and social services were told about Sheffield siblings’ incestuous relationship in 1998

Police and social services were told in 1998 about an incestuous relationship between a half brother and sister from Sheffield who went on to kill their two oldest children – but no action was taken.
By Steve Jones
Published 28th Aug 2020, 16:25 BST
Updated 28th Aug 2020, 16:28 BST
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In November, incestuous Sarah Barrass, 36, and her half-brother Brandon Machin, 40, were sentenced to life imprisonment to serve a minimum of 35 years for the murders of their sons Blake, 14, and Tristan, 13, on May 24, 2019.

They were also sentenced for conspiracy to murder all six of their children and for their initial attempt to murder Blake, Tristan and two more of their children at their home in Shiregreen.

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The findings of a serious case review carried out by Sheffield Children Safeguarding Partnership into the circumstances surrounding the killings of Blake and Tristan Barrass was published on Friday, August 28.

Half brother and sister, Sarah Barrass, 36, and Brandon Machin, 40.Half brother and sister, Sarah Barrass, 36, and Brandon Machin, 40.
Half brother and sister, Sarah Barrass, 36, and Brandon Machin, 40.

Sheffield mum who killed sons was viewed as 'loving, caring and competent' by safeguarding professionals

The report revealed how in 1998 the family’s grandmother reported to the police that she believed Barrass and Machin, then aged 14 and 18 respectively, were in a relationship after she found ‘love letters’.

It said: “A review of the letters and a denial of any relationship by [Barrass] led to no further action being taken by the police and Children’s Social Care.

“It is understood from records kept by [Barrass’] residential care home that there were rumours from residents of a relationship between [Barrass] and [Machin] but these do not appear to have been formally raised.”

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Barrass was in care for a year at the age of 14 in 1999 and made historical allegations of sexual abuse against a number of individuals during that time, the report said. One person was convicted of her rape in 2000.

No fewer than 14 separate practitioners, including South Yorkshire Police, Sheffield City Council Children’s Social Care and safeguarding and student support staff at the boys’ secondary school, had contact with the family before the boys’ deaths.

The report concluded there was no evidence any of the practitioners and agencies involved with the family could have predicted the actions taken by their parents. Machin was father to all of Barass’ children but she repeatedly refused to disclose any details of their paternity to practitioners.