Life sentence for man convicted of killing Barnsley woman at Leeds flat
Louisa Hall suffered more than 100 injuries at the hands of Steven Francis in October 2023
Last updated 23rd Jan 2025
A man who killed a woman during a 'brutal and sustained attack' at his flat in Leeds has been handed a life sentence, with a minimum term of 28 years.
43 year old Louisa Hall, who was originally from Barnsley, suffered more than 117 injuries at the hands of 59 year old Steven Francis at his home in Oatland Court, Little London, in October 2023.
Louisa was found naked and unconscious by paramedics on the floor of the living toom at around 5pm on October 25.
She had blood around her nose and mouth and extensive bruising across her shoulders, chest and legs. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Francis was arrested the same day and tried to claim Ms Hall had followed him to his flat and that he did not know her, only finding her unconscious after returning from seeing a friend.
A police investigation proved that Francis picked up Louisa, who was a sex worker, along with another woman in Top Moor Side in Holbeck in the early hours of October 25, with the pair arriving at the flat at around 6am that morning.
As part of the investigation police re-visited a rape allegation made against Francis by a sex worker in 2016.
The then 22 year old reported being taken back to Oatland Court in February 2016, before she was assaulted, robbed, knocked out and repeatedly raped.
During the trial, the prosecution noted similarities between both cases.
Francis was convicted of Louisa Hall's murder, alongside a string of other offences, by unanimous verdicts at Leeds Crown Court yesterday.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle said: “Louisa Hall was subjected to an appalling level of violence at the hands of Steven Francis in what was a brutal and sustained attack that cruelly ended her life.
“He has also been convicted of attacking and raping another woman at his flat in 2016 in similar circumstances, and it is clear that he is a very dangerous individual who has deliberately preyed on vulnerable women.
“He denied any involvement in Louisa’s murder and in the earlier attack but, through a detailed and comprehensive investigation, we were able to completely disprove his fictitious accounts, which has resulted in him being convicted of these offences."
In a statement, the family of Louisa Hall wrote: "Parents, Maureen and Sidney Hall, and Louisa’s children, Courtney and Lewis, would like to thank the jury for deliberating on their verdict, and we are pleased that they found Steven Francis guilty of Louisa’s murder."
"We thank West Yorkshire Police for their hard work in ensuring we have justice for our beloved Louisa. We thank the police family liaison officer for keeping us informed of all developments of the case in a timely manner and being very supportive throughout.
"We, Louisa’s parents and her children, thank the court staff for ensuring the smooth running of the court.
"Finally, we hope nobody has to go through the pain and heartache that Steven Francis has put us through."
The victim of the rape, who has lifelong anonymity, said: “I would like to thank the jury for listening to what can only be described as my horrific ordeal.
"Your judgement allowed me to sleep for the first time last night without nightmares. Thank you for giving me peace and believing in me.
"I hope this judgement will allow other victims of these offences to come forward and get their justice.”