Two teenagers have been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Robert Wilson, a 53-year-old factory supervisor who was stabbed more than 100 times with a samurai sword in Huddersfield. Kiyran Earnshaw, 18, and Luke Gaukroger, 16, carried out the attack in January at the Thornton and Ross pharmaceutical plant, where Wilson worked.
Leeds Crown Court heard that the pair passed a 50cm sword between them as they attacked Wilson, who had gone to investigate youths in the car park. Audio from Wilson's phone captured Gaukroger shouting, “Get his head, I want to cut his head,” and Wilson's pleas for them to stop. The attackers paused to rifle through Wilson's pockets before resuming, with both holding the sword and attempting to saw off his head.
Prosecutor Peter Makepeace QC said Earnshaw started the attack after producing the sword from his tracksuit bottoms. Gaukroger, who was 15 at the time, repeatedly shouted, “Pass me the shank.” A colleague, John Badejo, was seriously injured while trying to help Wilson. Both defendants admitted murder, and Earnshaw also admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Badejo.
Judge Mr Justice Lavender sentenced Earnshaw to life with a minimum term of 22 years and Gaukroger to life with a minimum of 16 years and eight months. The judge noted both had previous convictions for violence, including Earnshaw stabbing a fellow student in 2016.
Wilson's wife, Elaine, described his death as “completely incomprehensible” and said she was sickened to receive a letter from one of the defendants apologising. She told the court: “I want you to know you have taken the life of a much respected, admired and good man.”
