Robber who assaulted man in his Sheffield home has shown “no remorse”

Wayne Muirhead, aged 41, broke into 61-year-old Stephen Starkey’s home in Reney Crescent, Lowedges, on Christmas Day 2014 seriously assaulted him and stole £1, 500 in cash, a mobile phone and a Playstation. Mr Starkey died five days later in hospital.

Muirhead, of Batemoor Road, Batemoor, denied manslaughter and two offences of robbery but was convicted by a jury at Sheffield Crown Court.

Picture shows Stephen Starkey who has died from injuries after being attacked in his Sheffield home on Christmas day. See Ross Parry copy RPYROB : A 61-year-old man was injured when his house was robbed on Christmas Day on Reney Crescent. A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a resident who was robbed in his Sheffield home on Christmas Day died in hospital. The 37-year-old suspect is being quizzed today by detectives following the incident in Reney Crescent, Greenhill. Officers said a man was attacked in his own home before cash and a games console were stolen. Police said the robbery victim was left in a critical condition after the raid and died overnight. Tom Maddick / Rossparry.co.uk

Man found guilty of robbery and manslaughter

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After the hearing, detective inspector Richard Partridge said: “Mr Starkey was taken to hospital on Christmas Day and died five days later.

“An initial post-mortem examination was inconclusive and further tests were ordered to determine the cause of death. Mr Starkey was alcohol dependent and his liver was damaged, which when combined with painkillers for his injuries, resulted in paracetamol toxicity that tragically caused his death.

“Had Muirhead not viciously attacked Mr Starkey in his own home, there is no doubt in my mind he would still be alive now and celebrating Christmas with his family.

“Muirhead has not shown any remorse for his deplorable and selfish actions that day, and it is abundantly clear he was thinking of only himself and gave no thought for Mr Starkey or the devastating effect his greed would have.”

Detectives arrested Muirhead a couple of days after the robbery when the mobile phone he had stolen from Mr Starkey was recovered and officers traced the calls and text messages made from the phone back to Muirhead.

As part of the investigation, detectives were also able to link Muirhead to a previous robbery against Mr Starkey, again in his own home, on Saturday, November 7 this year, where he stole £280 in cash and another mobile phone.

Muirhead has been remanded until the New Year when he will be sentenced.