Couple jailed for life for murder of Barnsley man John Gogarty
A Wombwell couple have been sentenced to life behind bars for the murder of John Gogarty.
A Wombwell couple have been sentenced to life behind bars for the murder of John Gogarty. Ian Birley, 43, and Helen Nichols, 38, both of Mont Walk, Wombwell were sentenced to life in prison on Monday 7th December, after being convicted of murder and robbery by a jury at Sheffield Crown Court. Nichols must serve a minimum term of 20 years but Birley has been given a full-life order with no chance of parole. Mr Gogarty was found with multiple stab wounds inside his home on Marsh Street on Friday 17 July this year. A post-mortem found that he had been stabbed 69 times. During the investigation, it was a receipt for a £500 cash withdrawal found next to Mr Gogarty’s body that led officers to Nichols and her boyfriend Birley. Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Handley, leading the investigation, said: “The sentence reflects the severity of this atrocious crime and I hope it will in some way help Mr Gogarty’s family come to terms with their loss. “This was a shocking crime followed by a complex and thorough investigation and I would like to reiterate my thanks to the officers involved in the case for getting us here. “Throughout the trial, Mr Gogarty’s family has shown real strength and bravery. I would like to pay tribute to them and I hope they can move forward with their lives knowing both Nichols and Birley are behind bars.” At around 4pm on Friday 17 July, Mr Gogarty was found dead at his home by his son. Officers attended and found Mr Gogarty lying on the floor, behind his front door, with multiple stab wounds to his left side. A murder investigation was launched and a search of the property found that several distinctive, expensive watches were missing. Detectives also found a £500 ATM receipt from Barclays Bank on Wombwell High Street dated 6.53pm on Monday 13 July. CCTV of the ATM machined showed a woman, matching the description of Nichols, withdrawing £500 from Mr Gogarty’s account. Further CCTV showed Birley and Nichols walking onto Marsh Street at around 6.40pm and leaving Marsh Street at around 7.08pm on 13 July. During the investigation, officers found burnt clothes and a knife in the woods behind their Mont Walk home. The family of Mr Gogarty has issued the following statement: "John will be remembered as a loving Father, Brother, Grandfather, and friend to many. He was known for his kindness, generosity, and dry sense of humour that always had everyone in fits of laughter. "He was intelligent and highly educated, with a strong work ethic as a self-employed property developer. "From 2012, John spent 2 years battling a serious illness which we thought would take him from us. Along with the support of and care of his family, his stubborn determination and iron will defied medical assumptions as he fought to regain his health. "His family were ecstatic that John would be with them for years to come, until the 13th July 2015, when he was brutally murdered in his own home. "Ian Birley and Helen Nichols were remorseless throughout the trial, they have forced a life sentence upon our family which we are forced to endure for the rest of our lives. "We would like to thank South Yorkshire Police and The Crown Prosecution Service for their tremendous work in achieving this conviction and for the considerate and sympathetic way they worked with us during the investigation and the trial. "