York man murdered over debt

A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Gregory Marshall, who was fatally stabbed during a violent confrontation in York last summer.

Ian James Franklin, 33, of Roche Avenue, York, was found guilty of murder following an eight-week trial at Leeds Crown Court.

He was today (14 April) sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 21 years.

Franklin denied murdering 35-year-old Mr. Marshall and claimed he acted in self-defence, but the jury rejected his account. He was also convicted of possessing an offensive weapon and wounding with intent.

The incident occurred in the early hours of August 17, 2024, when Mr. Marshall and a second man, Jason Daniel Rhodes, 33, of Union Terrace, York, visited Franklin’s home to buy drugs.

The court heard that Franklin and his partner owed Rhodes a longstanding debt of approximately £1,000.

What began as a confrontation outside Franklin's home escalated into a deadly encounter.

Rhodes, who had arrived armed with a multi-tool featuring an axe head, returned to the scene after initially leaving. Mr. Marshall remained nearby. When Franklin confronted Rhodes again, Mr. Marshall stepped in to help and was stabbed multiple times in the neck and chest.

CCTV footage showed Mr. Marshall fleeing the scene before collapsing in a nearby alleyway. Despite being rushed to hospital, he was later pronounced dead.

Rhodes, who was also stabbed during the incident, received treatment in hospital and was arrested while receiving care.

He was later sentenced to 55 weeks in prison after pleading guilty to affray and possession of an offensive weapon. He was acquitted of a separate weapons charge following trial.

The court heard how Franklin fled the scene and was arrested 16 hours later by armed police. North Yorkshire Police’s Major Investigation Team launched a complex inquiry involving hundreds of exhibits, nearly 200 witness statements, and extensive CCTV and forensic analysis.

In emotional victim impact statements read in court, Mr. Marshall’s wife described her late husband as "thoughtful, caring, and funny," adding: “Since my husband has passed, it has ripped the family apart... I feel empty, lost, I feel like I have been robbed.”

His mother told the court: “He had a kind heart and would help anybody when they needed it. Ian Franklin, the sentence you are given today means nothing to us as a family… we have the rest of our lives to live with the devastation and trauma.”

Detective Sergeant Rebecca Prentice, who led the investigation, said: “This was a brutal and senseless crime. Justice has been served with today’s verdict, and our thoughts remain with Mr. Marshall’s family and loved ones. We are committed to keeping the streets of North Yorkshire safe, and this case demonstrates our determination to bring violent offenders to justice.”