TWO women who tortured and bludgeoned their neighbor to death after falsely accusing him of being a pedophile have been found guilty of murder.
It took jurors just two hours and 35 minutes to find Zoe Rider, 36, and Nicola Lethbridge, 45, guilty of robbing and murdering Stephen Koszyczarski.
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Nicola Lethbridge and Zoe Rider will be sentenced next monthCredit: South Yorkshire Police
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Stephen Koszyczarski was attacked in his own home and left for dead Credit: South Yorkshire Police
The duo tortured Mr Koszyczarski, 60, and filmed some of the “sadistic” attacks at the victim’s home in Woodseats, Sheffield, on August 9 last year.
Jurors at Sheffield Crown Court watched footage of the killers taunting Mr Koszyczarski as they robbed and attacked him.
In part of the footage shown during the opening of the trial in April, two women could be heard excruciatingly insulting the helpless Mr Koszyczarski.
One said: “Dirty, fucking wrong… Cut his fucking balls off. Where’s the knife, where’s the scissors gone? You little fucking n***a abusing little girls aren’t you Steve?”
Another could then be heard saying, “Aren’t you Steve?” While another added: “Not even denying it, you’re a ***** c***.”
As the video was played, one of the accused could be heard saying: “Wipe your fucking face.” Mr. Koszyczarski replied: “I can’t stop the bleeding.” One culprit then said: “Do you think I give a f***?”
The court heard the women had no evidence to prove Mr Koszyczarski was a sex offender. An investigation by South Yorkshire Police also found no wrongdoing on his part.
Prosecutor Andrew O’Byrne KC told the court that Mr Koszyczarski lived alone in his flat in Fraser Drive, Woodseats, and was described as a “collector”.
He said that on the day of his murder, Mr. Koszyczarski went to a coffee shop and spoke to the owner, who he knew. The woman was said to be worried about Mr Koszyczarski, who appeared to be “running out of money”.
Mr O’Byrne said: “During the interview he complained that he wasn’t getting much sleep because the people in his block were making a lot of noise and disturbing him.”
The woman is said to have offered Mr Koszyczarski £55 and although he was reluctant at first, he eventually took it.
It is heard that Mr Koszyczarski was captured on CCTV footage on his way home, but at 11.20pm that night he pressed a button on a lanyard which activated an alarm used to help people with health problems.
Mr O’Byrne said: “He spoke to the operator and asked for help. He told them he had been attacked and was bleeding.”
Female voices were said to be heard in the background of that call. The court heard that Stephen was taken to hospital but died on August 11.
Following their arrest, significant evidence was discovered on their mobile phones, including a video of them attacking Mr Koszyczarski.
In the video, one of them is caught in cream running shorts. Those jogging bottoms would later provide forensic opportunities to place the pair in the victim’s home.
Forensic experts identified a small amount of blood on the runners as belonging to Mr Koszyczarski, with DNA from both women in the garment belt.
Mr O’Byrne said the pathologist who performed the post-mortem examination on Mr Koszyczarski’s body said he “died as a result of what he described as prolonged and blunt force trauma and bleeding of the skull”.
Mr Koszyczarski was said to have injuries to his head and neck, bruising to his ear, eyes, cheeks and lips. He also suffered bruising to his chest “most likely caused by blows”.
Mr O’Byrne described the attack as “sadistic”. Lethbridge and Rider, both of Fraser Drive, Woodseats, have been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on June 5.
Speaking after the convictions, Detective Chief Inspector Tom Woodward said: “Stephen was described as a quiet man. Although he had a small circle of friends, he kept himself aloof and engaged in his work. He didn’t cause any trouble or hurt anyone and his death was senseless.
“Lethbridge and Rider not only subjected Stephen to mental torture and physical abuse, but humiliated him during the attack by falsely accusing him of being a pedophile, which was simply not the case.
“I am pleased with the jury’s verdict and the fact that these two will now spend a significant amount of years in prison.
“The community has been incredibly supportive throughout our investigation and I would like to thank those who have shown courage, taken a stand against criminals living in their communities and provided witness statements and evidence.
“The public’s support, along with the hardworking officers in my team and police colleagues ensured justice for Stephen.
“While the guilty verdicts bring comfort that justice has been served, this remains a sad day as it is another reminder to everyone how violence can quickly and prematurely end a life, greatly affecting everyone involved, leaving family and friends with pain and holes in their hearts. lives.”
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Source: HIS Education