Jonathan Sandiford KC, prosecuting counsel on the double murder of Katie Higton and Steven Harnett

A rare whole-life prison term has been given to Marcus Osborne who pleaded guilty to the murder of his ex-partner, Katie Higton and her boyfriend, Steven Harnett. He also raped another woman and showed the couple’s lifeless bodies to a neighbour after the May 2023 attack.

Marcus Osborne inflicted 99 wounds on Katie Higton and mutilated Steven Harnett’s body at the house he used to share with Ms Higton in Huddersfield.

Osborne cut her face 26 times in an effort to disfigure as well as kill her, the court was told.

Prosecutor Jonathan Sandiford KC said she was:

“effectively defenceless, although she put up a courageous struggle”.

Judge Lambert said Osborne invited a neighbour in to show them the bodies, apparently “proud” of the murders, before fleeing the scene.

He later handed himself in to police.

During the sentencing remarks, Mrs justice Lambert told Osbourne

“Your primary reason for killing them both was because Katie started a relationship with another man.”

“You were pathologically jealous of that relationship.

“I am sure you also engaged in sexual activity when Katie was either dead or dying.”

Read the full article from on the BBC.

Jonathan Sandiford KC has over 25 years’ experience, in complex and sensitive cases including homicide, terrorism and hate crimes (racial, religious and sexual orientation). Jonathan has been involved in some of Britain’s most serious crimes.

To find out more about Jonathan’s experience please contact his clerk, Jayne Drake.