Double killer will die in prison after murdering couple with sick mutilation
A violent double-murderer who killed a couple while there were children in the house then mutilated his victim's genitals saying "Romeo and Juliet can die together" has been told he will die behind bars.
Evil Marcus Osborne is facing life in jail for the depraved murder of his ex, Katie Higton, and her new partner Steven Harnett who he lured to a house in Huddersfield before stabbing to death in a crime motivated by "sexual jealousy". The couple had spent an evening at the cinema in May last year when Osborne intruded into Katie's home - which he had been watching for days - and waited for their return.
The 34-year-old killer who was described by one of the victim's mothers as "not worthy of being called a man" was given a life sentence on Friday after he pleaded guilty to the two murders. Osborne, from Huddersfield, also admitted the false imprisonment and rape of another woman who was in the house at the time. The third victim cannot be named for legal reasons.
His crimes followed a previous relationship with Katie, 27, which ended weeks earlier in which he was controlling and abusive, with terrified Katie trying to report him to the police only days before the murder. He sent the victim a message five days before her death threatening, "I will end you".
Katie had fought right until the end, the court heard, suffering 99 injuries to her body which included self-defence wounds. As she lay dying, the other woman in the house had pleaded to be allowed to stay with her, but was told by Osborne: “She’s going to die on her own now, the b**** and Steven’s next.”
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Katie Higton fought for her life against Osborne, sustaining a horrific 99 injuries in total (Yorkshire Live/MEN Media)
Steven's mum told his his brutal death haunted her (Yorkshire Live/MEN Media)Disturbing details providing a horrifying glimpse into the level of violence used were read out in court, including that Osborne used a knife to mutilate 25-year-old Mr Harnett's genitals. The couple had caught a taxi home from the cinema on the night in question whilst Osborne broke in to Ms Higton's home where a third woman was present with the children.
Prosecutor Jonathan Sandiford KC told the court how Osborne held a knife to the woman's throat as Ms Higton phoned, telling the woman to "tell her to come home". Ms Higton arrived home alone after Mr Harnett was dropped off at his home, only for Osborne to fly at her and attack her with a knife.
He then used a taxi app on her phone to book another cab for Mr Harnett, messaging him telling him to come to her home. Mr Harnett was also stabbed multiple times, before his genitals were mutilated, it was heard.
Osborne attacked Katie and Steven while there were children in the house at the time (Yorkshire Live/MEN Media)After carrying out the murders, he raped the woman telling her, “this is the last time I’ll have sex in a long time”. He also remarked, “that was quick, only took two. Romeo and Juliet, they can f****** die together now.”
Heartbreaking victim impact statements were read in court paying tribute to Katie and Steven. Katie's mum told how her daughter had been was "a much-loved mother, daughter and sister" whose death had left a "gaping hole" in their lives, calling Osborne a "murderous beast" who was "not worthy of being called a man". Steven's mum said her son's death haunted her, describing the "screams of grief" from loved ones as she was forced to tell them the news as "torture".
The Honourable Mrs Justice Lambert sentenced Osborne on Friday following a harrowing two-day sentencing hearing. Jailing him to whole life, the judge said he had been "proud" of his killings, showing one neighbour their bodies laid side-by-side. He had also kept the third victim hostage in the house, raping her and "laughing and joking" about his crime before taking a bath. "This short summary doesn’t begin to convey the full horror of what took place," said the judge, who described Katie's murder as “a merciless and sustained attack on a woman who was completely defenceless".
Tributes left to 'deeply caring soul' Katie at the scene in Huddersfield (Yorkshire Live/MEN Media)Speaking after the case, Detective Superintendent Alan Weekes, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "The absolutely brutal offences committed by Marcus Osborne during the morning of May 15 are some of the worst myself and other experienced homicide detectives have investigated in our careers. Osborne's attacks on his victims were savage but also chillingly calculated in their execution. His behaviour can only be described as truly monstrous."
Asked by reporters why Osborne had been released on bail following Ms Higton's complaint given his history of domestic violence, Mr Weekes said the case was being reviewed by the Independent Office for Police Conduct and it would be inappropriate to comment further.
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