Pain-hungry women who tortured and beat Sheffield man to death pictured for first time

The women who tortured and killed a Sheffield man in his own home have been photographed for the first time.

Jurors took just two hours and 35 minutes yesterday to find Zoe Rider, 36, and Nicola Lethbridge, 45, both of Fraser Drive, guilty of robbing and murdering Stephen Koszyczarski on August 9 last year. The monstrous duo tortured Stephen and filmed part of the attack.

During the trial at Sheffield Crown Court, jurors watched footage of the pair taunting Stephen as they robbed and attacked him. Part of the footage was played during the opening in April and in it they could be heard hurling terrible abuse at the defenseless Stephen.

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One said: “Dirty, bloody wrong no… They cut his balls off. Where is the knife, where did the scissors go? **** that they abuse little girls aren’t you Steve?

During the video, one of the women was seen wearing cream sweatpants. They were later identified and found to have a small amount of Stephen’s blood and Rider and Lethbridge’s DNA on the belt.

Prosecutor Andrew O’Byrne KC told the court that Stephen, 60, lived alone at his flat in Fraser Drive, Sheffield, and was described as a “collector”. He said on the day of his murder, he had gone to a coffee shop and talked to the owner, whom he knew. The woman was said to be worried about Stephen, who appeared to be “running out of money”.

Mr O-Byrne said: “During the conversation he complained that he wasn’t getting much sleep because the people in his block were making a lot of noise and disturbing him.” The woman was said to have offered to give Stephen £55 and although he was reluctant at first, he eventually accepted.

It was heard that Stephen was caught on CCTV footage on his way home, but at 11.20pm that night, he pressed a button on a lanyard which activated an alarm used to assist those with health problems. Mr O-Byrne said: “He spoke to an operator and asked for assistance. He told them he had been attacked and was bleeding.”

The court heard Stephen was taken to hospital but died on August 11. Mr O-Byrne said a pathologist who carried out a post-mortem examination on Stephen’s body said he “died as a result of what he describes as a sustained and blunt force. physical aggression and bleeding of the skull”.

Stephen was said to have injuries to his head and neck, bruises to his ear, eyes, cheeks and lips. He also suffered bruising to his chest which was “most likely caused by blows”. Mr O’Byrne described the attack on him as “sadistic”.

During the trial, Rider and Lethbridge turned on each other, blaming each other. Following the verdict, Detective Chief Inspector Tom Woodward, who is leading the investigation for South Yorkshire Police, said: “Stephen was described as a quiet man. Although he had a close circle of friends, he kept to himself and only went about his business. He caused no trouble or hurt anyone, and his death was insensitive.

“Lethbridge and Rider not only subjected Stephen to mental torture and physical abuse, but humiliated him during the attack by falsely accusing him of being a pedophile, which was simply not the case. I am pleased with the jury’s verdict and the fact that these two will now spend many years in prison.

“The community has been a huge support throughout our investigation and I would like to thank those who have shown courage, stood up to criminals living in their communities and provided witness statements and evidence. The support of the public, together with the hardworking officers in my team and fellow police officers ensured justice for Stephen.

“While the guilty verdicts bring comfort that justice has been served, this remains a sad day as it is another reminder to everyone that violence can end a life too soon, which has a huge impact on everyone involved and leaves family and friends with grief. and holes in their lives.”

Lethbridge and Rider will be sentenced on June 5.