Stephen Koszyczarski: Neighbors blamed for murder of ‘quiet and shy’ Sheffield man

Two women have been found guilty of murdering their neighbor after falsely accusing him of being a pedophile.

Stephen Koszyczarski, 60, suffered serious head injuries after being attacked at his home in Fraser Drive, Woodseats, on August 9.

Zoe Rider, 36, and Nicola Lethbridge, 45, also of Fraser Drive, were found guilty after a three-week trial at Sheffield Crown Court.

Both were remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on June 5.

This report contains details that you may find disturbing.

The court heard Rider and Lethbridge discussed with each other how they believed Mr Koszyczarski was a pedophile, despite having no evidence to back up their claims.

However, addressing the jury, Judge Sarah Wright said that during an “extensive” police investigation “no information whatsoever was discovered to suggest that he ever had any children visit his address or any connection of pedophile interests”.

On the night of the attack, prosecutors said the two women went to his home “to confront and humiliate” Mr Koszyczarski.

The court heard how, during the confrontation, the victim’s trousers had fallen down and the pair made threats to mutilate him.

The court was shown mobile phone video, taken by Rider, of Lethbridge hitting Mr Koszyczarski on the night he is believed to have died.

In it, Rider can be heard telling Lethbridge, “He’s a (pedophile), think about your daughter, get back in there and hit him.”

Mr Koszyczarski, who had a mild learning disability, was described by friends as a “quiet, shy man” and a “good neighbour”.

The jury heard that Rider had struck up a relationship with him in the weeks before his death.

During that time, Mr. Koszyczarski told friends that he “freaked out” and never had any money. He had even asked a local cafe to open a tab for him so he could buy a cup of tea and a sandwich.

“He was physically shaking at times. Something seemed to be affecting him very badly. He had gone right downhill,” neighbor Steven Butterley said.

The pair, who denied murdering Mr Koszyczarski as well as the robbery charge, were found guilty of both offences.