South Yorkshire murderer who chased and stabbed man to death jailed for minimum of 25 years
and live on Freeview channel 276
Sheffield Crown Court heard today, December 17, how Martin Wilson, aged 38, of Monsal Crescent, Athersley South, Barnsley, was found guilty after a trial of murdering Stephen Riley who had died after suffering two stab wounds during the evening of June 26.
David Brooke QC, prosecuting, had told the jury 43-year-old Mr Riley had been arrested for allegedly assaulting his pregnant ex-partner which he denied and he was released on bail.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdWilson and his partner Julie Evans alleged Mr Riley had shown them an intimate image of his ex-partner, according to Mr Brooke, and Wilson told police he had been disgusted to learn Mr Riley had allegedly assaulted his ex-partner.
Mr Brooke said CCTV footage showed Mr Riley visiting Wilson’s home on June 26 and leaving before Wilson came out and the two were later seen arguing, accordng to witness reports.
Shortly afterwards, a resident on Darley Avenue, Athersley, called the police, according to Mr Brooke, and said a man had come into her garden and was banging on her window saying, “help me, I have been stabbed”.
Mr Brooke said: “The police and paramedics came and found the victim Stephen Riley, aged 43, slumped over a small garden wall at the front of her property.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdMr Riley had a stab wound through his ribs, left lung and heart as well as a second stab wound to his back, according to Mr Brooke, and he was later pronounced dead at Barnsley Hospital.
Judge Roger Thomas QC told Wilson: “In my judgement, there can be no doubt at all that you were the one who purposefully armed yourself with a knife when you set off from your house in pursuit of Stephen Riley and hunted him down in the garden where he was trying to hide.
"You then quickly entered that garden and in the 15 seconds or so that you were there you used that knife and struck him those two susbtantial blows with it.”
The defendant, who had been seen out on a bicycle on the evening of June 26, had initially claimed he and his partner had been drinking heavily on June 25 and he had not left home on June 26 and he later claimed he had acted in self-defence with the suggestion Mr Riley had possessed the knife.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdPhone records show Wilson called his girlfriend Julie Evans and they disposed of the murder weapon, according to the court, and Wilson disposed of his bike.
Judge Thomas sentenced Wilson to life imprisonment and and stressed he must serve a minimum term of 25 years before he can be released.
Wilson also breached a suspended prison sentence which had been imposed for wounding and he was additionally sentenced to 58 weeks of custody to be served concurrently.
Evans, also of Monsal Crescent, pleaded guilty to asssiting an offender and will be sentenced on December 21.
