Two women guilty of murdering ‘shy and quiet’ neighbour after falsely accusing him of being a paedophile

TWO women who tortured and kicked their neighbour to death after falsely accusing him of being a paedophile have been found guilty of murder.

Jurors took just two hours and 35 minutes to find Zoe Rider, 36, and Nicola Lethbridge, 45, guilty of the robbery and murder of Stephen Koszyczarski.

The duo tortured Mr Koszyczarski, 60, and filmed some of the “sadistic” attack at the victim’s home in Woodseats, Sheffield, on August 9 last year.

Jurors at Sheffield Crown Court watched footage which captured the killers taunting Mr Koszyczarski while they robbed and attacked him.

In part of the footage played during the opening of the trial in April, two women could be heard hurling sickening abuse at a defenceless Mr Koszyczarski.

One said: “Dirty, f****** wrong ‘un…Having his f****** balls cut off. Where’s the knife, where’s the scissors gone? Little f****** n***e that abusing little girls aren’t you Steve?”

Another could then be heard to say: “Aren’t you Steve?” While the other added: “Not even denying it you f****** c***.”

As the footage played, one of the defendants could be heard to say: “Wipe your f****** face.” Mr Koszyczarski replied: “I can’t stop bleeding.” One culprit then said: “Do you think I give a f***?”

The court heard that the women had no evidence to prove Mr Koszyczarski was a sex offender. A South Yorkshire Police investigation also uncovered no wrongdoing on his part.

Prosecutor Andrew O’Byrne KC told the court that Mr Koszyczarski lived alone at his flat in Fraser Drive, Woodseats, and was described as a “collector”.

He said on the day of his murder, Mr Koszyczarski had gone to a cafe and had spoken to the female owner, who he knew. The woman was said to be concerned about Mr Koszyczarski, who seemed to be “running short of money”.

Mr O’Byrne said: “During the course of the conversation, he complained he wasn’t getting much sleep because people in his block were making a lot of noise and disturbing him.”

It was said the woman offered to give Mr Koszyczarski £55 and although he was reluctant at first, he eventually took it.

It was 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 that activated an alarm used for assistance for those with health issues.

Mr O’Byrne said: “He spoke to an operator and asked for assistance. He told them he had been attacked and was bleeding.”

It was said female voices were heard in the background of that call. The court heard Stephen was taken to hospital but died on August 11.

Following their arrests, significant findings were discovered on their mobile phones, including a video of them assaulting Mr Koszyczarski.

In the video, one of them was captured wearing cream jogging bottoms. Those jogging bottoms would again later provide forensic opportunities to place the pair in victim’s home.

Forensics identified a small amount of blood on the joggers belonging to Mr Koszyczarski, with both women’s DNA in the waistband of the clothing.

Mr O’Byrne said a pathologist who carried out a post-mortem examination on Mr Koszyczarski’s body said he “died as a consequence of what he describes as a sustained and blunt-force physical assault and haemorrhage of the skull”.

It was said Mr Koszyczarski had injuries to his head and neck, bruises to his ear, eyes, cheeks and lips. He had also suffered bruising to his chest that were “most likely caused by kicks”.

Mr O’Byrne described the assault as “sadistic.” Lethbridge and Rider, both of Fraser Drive, Woodseats, were remanded into custody and will be sentenced on June 5.

Speaking after the guilty verdicts, Detective Chief Inspector Tom Woodward said: “Stephen was described as a quiet man. Although he had a close circle of friends, he kept himself to himself and just went about his business. He didn’t cause any problems or hurt anyone and his death was callous.

“Lethbridge and Rider had not only subjected Stephen to mental torture and physical abuse but they humiliated him during the attack wrongly accusing him of being a paedophile 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 a huge support throughout our investigation, and I would like to thank those who showed bravery, taking a stand against criminals living in their communities, and providing witness statements and evidence.

“The support of the public, along with the hardworking officers on my team and police colleagues have ensured justice for Stephen.

“Although the guilty verdicts bring comfort that justice has been served, this remains a sad day because it is another reminder for everyone how violence can quickly end a life too soon, which impacts greatly on all those involved, and leaves family and friends with pain and holes in their lives.”