Detectives and CPS react to Halifax murderer being jailed for life

Halifax born James Sutcliffe was found guilty of murder and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, and his parents Kevin and Janet Sutcliffe were found guilty of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice at Bradford Crown Court after a 17 day trial.

Full story: Murderer jailed alongside parents after father-of-three shot in face and body dumped on moor James Sutcliffe was sentenced to 31 years’ imprisonment for the murder of Tyron Charles with four years’ imprisonment to run concurrent for the conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

His parents, Janet and Kevin Sutcliffe, received two years’ imprisonment each.

Marie Austin-Walsh, from the CPS said: “This was a brutal attack, perpetrated in cold blood. Sutcliffe not only carried out a brutal murder, he also schemed with his parents to conceal and dispose of the body.

“Through the extensive analysis of mobile phone and cell site evidence, as well as recordings of conversations held between the three defendants, the CPS was able to demonstrate that they comprehensively lied both to the police and to the court, in a desperate attempt to evade justice.

“That attempt failed; the jury found all three defendants guilty and they have been sentenced to a total of 33 years’ imprisonment for their crimes. I hope this outcome has brought some comfort to Tyron Charles’ family and friends.”

Detective Superintendent Patrick Twiggs, of West Yorkshire Police’s Homicide and Enquiry Team, described the murder as 'a wicked crime made worse by Sutcliffe’s callous disregard for the body of his victim'.

“After shooting Tyron Charles he robbed him and left him to die in a shipping container. He later returned to the scene of his crime to move the body to the moors and dump it in a bog while he considered his next move.

“He then entered into a conspiracy with his family to get rid of the body permanently and deny Tyron’s family of their fundamental right to bury him.

“All this time Tyron’s family were desperately worried and were appealing through social media to find out what had happened to him.

“I would like to thank the police investigation team whose diligent work led to the recovery of Tyron’s body and hope his family will gain some comfort knowing that the man responsible for his murder is now behind bars.”