60-year-old Stephen Mark Koszyczarski died in the early hours of August 11, 2023, after being found seriously injured at his home in Fraser Drive, Woodseats, Sheffield, around 30 hours earlier, on the evening of August 9. Jurors convicted Stephen’s neighbours, Zoe Rider, aged 36, and 45-year-old Nicola Lethbridge of his murder, during a Sheffield Crown Court trial, which concluded in May 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Star, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more.
Duing a Sheffield Crown Court hearing held this morning (Wednesday, June 5, 2024), Judge Sarah Wright jailed Rider and Lethbridge for life for their attack upon Steven, who was described by those closest to him as ‘kind’ ‘generous’ and as someone with a ‘heart of gold’. “The purpose of your attack was to humiliate, terrify and hurt him,” said Judge Wright. Judge Wright fixed the minimum term each of the two murderers must serve behind bars during the 45-minute hearing, with both defendants told they must serve at least 26 years in prison.
Both women were also convicted of one count of robbery, relating to items taken from Stephen’s flat during the course of the attack, and Judge Wright sentenced them to 13 years’ imprisonment for the robbery, which will run concurrently to the murder sentence. Advertisement Advertisement The jury of eight wome.
