January 21st 2024.
Stephen Kershaw, a 65-year-old man, was found dead in his home in the village of East Bierley, Birkenshaw. His body was hidden in a wall and was only discovered three days later, in a decomposing state. It was a shocking and unsettling discovery for the community.
What made it even more disturbing was the fact that Stephen's own stepson, Ian Mitchell, and his partner, Sarah Pearson, were responsible for his death. They were both known to be drug users and had been living with Stephen for some time.
The couple had a parasitic relationship with Stephen, often using violence to get money from him for their selfish habits. This left Stephen with no choice but to resort to food banks and borrowing money from friends just to survive.
It was a stranger that Pearson met at a church yard after a one night stand who eventually led to their arrest. She confessed to the man that she had murdered an old man with dementia, not realizing that he was talking to the victim's stepson.
The court was told that the couple had spent money on alcohol and clothes using Stephen's bank card, just hours after his death. CCTV footage showed Pearson even crashing into a wine display while spinning around in a trolley.
Pearson later went on to confess to the murder to two prison officers and even told Mitchell while they were being transported to court. She seemed to have no remorse for her actions, saying that suffocation was a good method because it wouldn't come back to haunt them.
It was a tragic end for Stephen, who had been described by his neighbors as a king in his own home. He had been respectful and kind, but was taken advantage of by the very people he had welcomed into his home.
His daughter had become concerned when she didn't hear from him and reported him missing. Little did she know, Mitchell and Pearson had already hidden his body in his room, pretending not to know his whereabouts.
The court heard that Stephen had confided in his friends and neighbors about the abuse he suffered at the hands of Mitchell and Pearson. He had even told them that they had taken money from him and that Pearson had hit him.
The judge described the couple as parasitic and a nuisance to their neighbors. She also mentioned that Stephen had been subjected to violence before or after his death. Both Mitchell and Pearson were sentenced to life in prison for their crimes, with Mitchell serving a minimum of 22 years and Pearson serving a minimum of 19 years.
It was a tragic and senseless end for Stephen Kershaw, who deserved so much better from the people he had welcomed into his home. The community was left shocked and saddened by the horrific events that had taken place.
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