Life term for neighbours who killed vulnerable man

Stephen Koszyczarski was taken to hospital with serious injuries before his death

Two neighbours who killed a vulnerable man in a "brutal, heartless and despicable" attack will spend at least 26 years in prison.

Stephen Koszyczarski, 60, suffered serious head injuries after being attacked in his home in Woodseats, Sheffield, on 9 August.

Zoe Rider, 36, and Nicola Lethbridge, 45, of Fraser Drive, were found guilty of murder and robbery after a three-week trial at Sheffield Crown Court in May.

Jailing the pair for life, judge Sarah Wright described their actions as "vicious and extremely violent".

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Wright told Rider and Lethbridge they "invaded his home, intent on helping yourself to his property by threatening and using violence on him".

The attack on Fraser Drive, partly filmed on a mobile phone, was "clearly fuelled by drugs and probably alcohol", the judge added.

The pair had falsely accused Mr Koszyczarski of being a paedophile, despite having no evidence to support their claims.

On the night of the attack, prosecutors previously said the two women went to his home "to confront and humiliate" Mr Koszyczarski.

In a statement read to the court, Mary Jones, who had been friends with Mr Koszyczarski for 38 years, said he was "nothing but kind".

"I cry most days and most nights - he was such a special man," Ms Jones said.

"The impact it has had on me has been unbearable."

Zoe Rider (L) and Nicola Lethbridge denied murder but were found guilty after a trial

She continued: "I've been struggling to come to terms with Stephen’s murder and the horrible and evil things they’ve done to him."

The court heard the victim's trousers had fallen down during the attack and the pair had made threats to mutilate him.

A number of items of jewellery were stolen by Rider and Lethbridge, believed to then be used to pay for drugs.

Judge Wright said while they may not have intended to kill Mr Koszyczarski, they did intend to cause serious harm, breaking his nose and causing a bleed on the brain.

"You set about him in the most brutal, heartless and despicable manner," she told the pair.

"You launched a vicious and extremely violent joint attack upon him."

'Bullied and intimidated'

Speaking to the BBC after the sentencing hearing, Det Ch Insp Thomas Woodward described the attack on Mr Koszyczarski as "truly callous".

"Nicola Lethbridge and Zoe Rider bullied, intimidated and attacked him in his own home in the most humiliating way, whilst filming the attack," he said.

"Although the guilty verdicts bring comfort that justice has been served, this remains a sad day because it is another reminder how violence can end a life too soon."

He added: "It impacts greatly on all those involved and leaves family and friends with pain and holes in their lives."