Bradford, United Kingdom – A man and a woman from Bradford, UK have been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a vulnerable grandfather in his own home. Ian Mitchell, 35, and Sarah Pearson, 23, were found guilty of killing 65-year-old Stephen Kershaw in September 2022 and then using his money for their own personal gain, according to West Yorkshire Police.
The pair were convicted at Bradford Crown Court after pleading guilty to the charges of murder and fraud. The family of the victim expressed their grief, stating that Mitchell and Pearson had taken away their “lovely dad and grandad.”
Mr. Kershaw was reported missing in September 2022 and was discovered dead in his home three days later. The court heard that a “grab handle” had been used as a weapon in the attack. Following the murder, Mitchell and Pearson went on a spending spree with the victim’s money, as evidenced by CCTV footage.
The sentencing resulted in Mitchell being sentenced to life with a minimum of 22 years, while Pearson received a life sentence with a minimum of 19 years. Detective Superintendent Marc Bowes labeled the crime as a “cruel and senseless” act, emphasizing the pair’s exploitation of Mr. Kershaw for financial gain.
In a statement, Mr. Kershaw’s family described the devastating impact of the loss of their beloved father and grandfather, expressing their heartbreak at the cruelty inflicted on a man who was incapable of defending himself. They emphasized Mr. Kershaw’s kind and gentle nature and the never-ending grief caused by the loss.