Man jailed for life for killing Sheffield man on Christmas Day

Wayne Muirhead has been jailed for life with a minimum of 10 years for robbing and killing Stephen Starkey in his own home in Low Edges

Published 24th Mar 2016

A man's been jailed for killing and robbing a man at his home in Sheffield on Christmas Day 2014.

Wayne Muirhead, 41, of Batemoor Road in Sheffield, was found guilty of manslaughter and two counts of robbery following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court last December.

At Liverpool Crown Court, Muirhead was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of ten years.

Muirhead forced entry into Stephen Starkey’s home on Reney Crescent in Low Edges at around 10.30am on Thursday 25 December 2014.

He seriously assaulted him and stole £1,500 in cash, a mobile phone and a Playstation.

The 61-year-old victim was taken to hospital with serious injuries where he died five days later.

Speaking after the sentencing, Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Richard Partridge said: “Muirhead preyed on a quiet, calm man who kept to himself. Muirhead has shown no remorse for his actions and the fact he attacked Mr Starkey on Christmas Day is appalling, something I simply can’t understand.

“The significant sentence handed to him at court reflects the gravity of his despicable crimes.

“This crime shocked the local community and devastated Mr Starkey’s family, so I hope what happened at court yesterday offers them some small reassurance that this wicked man is behind bars for a long time, where he can harm nobody else.”

As part of the investigation, detectives were also able to link Muirhead to a previous robbery against Mr Starkey, again in his own home on Saturday 7 November 2014, where he stole £280 in cash and another mobile phone.