Man guilty of murder after victim dies in fire

William Joyce was found guilty of murder after a trial at Leeds Crown Court

A "repeat violent offender" has been found guilty of murder after beating up a "vulnerable man" who was then unable to escape a fire in his home.

William Joyce attacked Darren Leach in his house in Marsden Grove, Beeston, on 19 March, leaving him with several broken ribs, multiple fractures to his larynx and injuries to his face and neck.

As a result of his injuries, police said the 53-year-old was "left incapacitated" and unable to escape when a fire took hold in his property.

Joyce, 38, of Woodview Terrace in Beeston, will be sentenced at Leeds Crown Court on 12 November.

The day before Mr Leach's body was found by friends, police said he was seen on CCTV returning to his home with no suggestion that he had been subject to an assault.

Footage later captured Joyce going to Mr Leach's home and leaving about an hour-and-a-half later carrying a television in a bag.

Darren Leach was found dead at his home in Beeston on 19 March

Police said no other person was seen entering or leaving the address until Mr Leach was found dead the next day.

During his trial, witnesses told the court that Mr Leach was in possession of a wad of cash which he said was for rent.

They also told the court Joyce was aware of this money and had been making demands for it.

Det Chf Insp Stacey Atkinson said Mr Leach was a "well-liked man" who had issues with alcoholism and that Joyce had preyed on his "vulnerabilities" and had gone to his home with the "intention of taking cash or other property from him".

She added: "Darren suffered some significant, nasty injuries in the assault that Joyce subjected him to.

"While we do not know whether the cause of the fire was deliberate or accidental, the evidence presented to the court tells us that Darren's injuries left him incapacitated meaning he was unable to escape the fire and therefore played a significant role in his death."

In a statement, Mr Leach's siblings said Joyce was a "repeat violent offender, who would prey on vulnerable people for his own selfish gains and attacks them when he doesn't get what he wants".

They said despite the verdict, they were "still left with the pain and heartache" of their brother's death and that he would "never get to see his children and grandchildren grow up".

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