TWO men have this week been handed life prison sentences for murder at Reading Crown Court.
And they’re not the only ones -- there’s been a number of people jailed following sentences at Reading Crown Court.
Not all of them are from the Berkshire area, but most have hit the headlines.
Here is who has been given life sentences.
O’Neal Joseph
28-year-old Joseph formerly of Amersham Road, Reading, was handed a life sentence for the murder of Yannick Cupido in Caversham on Valentine’s Day 2021.
The two had an argument over a prank Cupido played in which he falsely alleged their mutual friend Reece Weatherburn had been arrested.
Their row snowballed as Joseph could not reach Weatherburn and the former messaged the latter to say he would kill him.
O'Neal Joseph
They met outside a corner shop in Caversham just after midnight on February 14 where they had a fight.
Joseph had brought a large kitchen knife with him and used it to stab Cupido in the chest.
READ MORE: O'Neal Joseph sentenced for murder of Yannick Cupido
The 24-year-old ran off but collapsed a minute later. He was pronounced dead at hospital less than an hour later.
Following a three-week trial, Joseph was convicted of murder.
He was given a life prison term and told he will serve a minimum of 24 years in prison.
Olly Stephens’ killers
Two 14-year-old boys murdered Olly Stephens in Emmer Green in Reading on January 3, 2021.
The teenagers, who cannot be named for legal reasons, confronted Olly at Bugs Bottom field after they developed ‘grievances’ with him on social media.
13-year-old Olly was lured to the field by a 14-year-old girl where he was ambushed by the two boys.
READ MORE: Teen killers sentenced to 28 years in prison following Olly Stephens murder
After a short fight between the older boy and Olly, the younger of the two 14-year-olds stabbed Olly twice. They ran off and Olly collapsed after trying to flee the scene.
They were brought to justice following a five-week trial in June and July.
Upon being sentenced in September, the two boys were given life sentences.
The older boy will serve a minimum of 12 years behind bars, with the younger teenager handed a 13-year minimum term.
James Lawton
Lawton, 28, of Wiltshire, was jailed for the murder of his month-old son Colby, who died in May 2020.
A jury agreed with the prosecution’s case that Lawton shook his son in the minutes before he died, causing him fatal injury.
READ MORE: ‘Sentence reflects vile way baby-killer murdered defenceless son’
He was also convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm after giving his son a skull fracture days before his death.
His former partner, Chantelle Stroud, 25 from Newbury, was cleared of any wrongdoing after being charged with allowing the death of a child.
Lawton was handed a life sentence and will serve a minimum of 17 years in prison.
Charlie Ward
In September, Slough man Ward was re-sentenced for the brutal murder of Jason Gardner at the Earl of Cornwall Pub in May 2018.
He stabbed the father of two more than 30 times following a pub brawl that spilled over from another boozer.
Ward had already been sent to prison once before following a trial in late 2018.
Following a re-trial in June and July 2021, Ward was told he will serve 20 years behind bars for his part in the incident.
The brawl occurred at the Earl of Cornwall pub on Cippenham Lane when Mr Gardner, a father of two, attacked Charlie Ward, who was drinking at the pub with his wife, mother and father.
Charlie Ward murdered Jason Gardner at the Earl of Cornwall pub
Ward, who had a Stanley knife in his possession, retaliated and stabbed the punter more than 30 times including in the eye, mouth and face.
Gardner ‘begged for help’ during the attack, a court heard, and suffered a cardiac arrest from his injuries.
READ MORE: Father begged for help after being stabbed by Charlie Ward
But a court heard his injuries were ‘unsurvivable’ and he passed away shortly after the horrific incident.
Sentencing, Judge Nawaz said: “He [Mr Gardner] was much-loved by his family.
“No sentence this court or any other court can impose can make up for what his family has suffered.”
Ward was given a life sentence and told he will serve a minimum of 20 years behind bars for his part in the May 2018 incident.
Lynda Rickard
Lynda Rickard, 62, of Edinburgh Close, Banbury, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 28 years, after being convicted of the murder of James Anthony Sootheran, known as Anthony, in South Newington, near Banbury in Oxfordshire.
She was found guilty of murder in late May after a seven-week trial at Reading Crown Court that started in April.
Lynda Rickard
Reading Crown Court heard how the woman controlled, exploited, defrauded and then ultimately starved to death her live-in landlord to try and inherit his £3.5m estate.
READ MORE: Woman convicted of starving her landlord
Her husband, 66-year-old Wayne Rickard, of the same address, was found guilty of causing/ allowing the death of a vulnerable adult, and was jailed for 10 years and six months’. He was cleared of murder.
Both Rickards were also found guilty of a separate count of fraud, while Wayne Rickard was also convicted of a count of perverting the course of justice.
Shahnavaz Azad, Hamza Azad and Aamir Mustafa
Three men were sentenced for murder following the fatal stabbing of Luke O’Connell in Watford in August 2020.
Luke O’Connell died after being stabbed following a three-vehicle crash in Gammons Lane, Watford, on August 31 last year.
During the seven-week trial at Reading Crown Court, the jury was told how police were called just before 3am to the crash and fight.
Officers attended and found a man aged in his 20s, later confirmed as Luke O’Connell, with stab wounds. He was taken to hospital where he later died.
READ MORE: Seven men sentenced following murder of Luke O'Connell
The trial was heard at Reading Crown Court after being moved from Harrow Crown Court during the pandemic.
- Shahnavaz Azad, aged 29, from Watford was found guilty of murder and section 18 assault. He was sentenced to life with minimum 27 years, plus five years concurrent for the assault.
- Hamza Azad, aged 24, of Nicholas Close, Watford was found guilty of murder and section 18 assault. He was sentenced to life with minimum 22 years, plus five years concurrent for the assault.
- Aamir Mustafa, aged 24, of St Georges Road, Watford was found guilty of murder and section 18 assault. He was sentenced to life with minimum 22 years, plus five years concurrent for the assault.
Three other men were convicted of manslaughter.
Chris Minards
35-year-old Minards murdered a mother-of-two in Thatcham and was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday.
Christopher Joseph Minards, of no fixed abode, stabbed 43-year-old Emma McArthur on April 1, who died the next day despite the best efforts of medical professionals.
Minards will serve at minimum 16 years and two months in jail after pleading guilty to murder and possession of a knife at Reading Crown Court.
“No words can express the sadness and feelings we have as a family at the loss of Emma,” her family wrote in a tribute.
READ MORE: Thatcham man admits to murder of mother
“Emma had a wonderful smile, a giggly laugh, and smiling eyes that could light up a room,” their statement read.
Emma McArthur (left) who was murdered by Christopher Minards (right) in Thatcham in April
“Emma touched so many lives and she leaves us all with good memories that we hope will carry us through the tough times ahead.”
Charlie Irwin and Nasim Khan
Five men were this month convicted in connection with the murder of Amir Shafique.
On October 28 last year, officers were called to Lembrook Walk, Aylesbury following reports of a serious fight and that two men had been assaulted.
Amir, who was 22, was found at the scene with severe injuries and taken to Stoke Mandeville Hospital in the town, where he tragically died.
READ MORE: Five convicted after Aylesbury murder
The second man, also aged in his twenties, was injured and taken to hospital.
Over a period of several days, officers from Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime Unit made a number of arrests, and eight men were charged with murder.
Following a 12-week trial at Reading Crown Court, the jury found:
- Charlie Irwin, aged 22, of Radnor End, Aylesbury, was found guilty by unanimous jury verdict.
- Nasim Khan, aged 24, of Ruskin Way, Aylesbury, was also convicted by unanimous jury verdict of murder.
- Mohammed Wasim, aged 20, of Thrasher Road, Aylesbury, was acquitted of murder, but found guilty by unanimous jury verdict of manslaughter.
- Ishmael Shah, aged 23, of Cotterills Lane, Birmingham, was acquitted of murder, but found guilty by unanimous jury verdict of manslaughter.
- Bertie Turvey, aged 22, of Henry Road, Aylesbury, was acquitted of murder, but found guilty by majority jury verdict of manslaughter.
- Bradley Shoult, aged 21, of Chalgrove Walk, Aylesbury, Hamza Mousa, aged 21, of Cotterills Lane, Birmingham, and an 18-year-old man who is not being named, were acquitted of murder and an alternative count of manslaughter.
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