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Addict jailed for student murder Burglar jailed for student murder
(20 minutes later)
A 31-year-old man has been jailed for life for stabbing a student to death while burgling a house in Leeds.A 31-year-old man has been jailed for life for stabbing a student to death while burgling a house in Leeds.
Leeds Crown Court heard how heroin addict, Gareth Brear, stabbed 20-year-old Joe Cook, from Newcastle, 15 times with a kitchen knife last August. Leeds Crown Court heard how heroin addict Gareth Brear stabbed 20-year-old Joe Cook, from Newcastle, 15 times with a kitchen knife last August.
Brear was jailed for a minimum of 26 years after pleading guilty to murder.Brear was jailed for a minimum of 26 years after pleading guilty to murder.
The court was told he ransacked Mr Cook's student house on Ebberston Terrace in the Hyde Park area of Leeds before making off with a BMX bike.The court was told he ransacked Mr Cook's student house on Ebberston Terrace in the Hyde Park area of Leeds before making off with a BMX bike.
He later sold the bike for £10. He sold the bike for £10.
The court heard how Brear, high on drink and drugs, entered the house through a basement window.The court heard how Brear, high on drink and drugs, entered the house through a basement window.
'Gentle Joe' Joe was not in the wrong place at the wrong time Parents Lesley and Nick
Graham Hyland QC, prosecuting, said Mr Cook, who was alone in the six-bedroom house, sent a friend a text message saying: "There's someone in the house". Graham Hyland QC, prosecuting, said Mr Cook, who was alone in the six-bedroom house, sent a friend a text message saying: "There's someone in the house."
He said a confrontation took place: "When I say confrontation, I mean that the defendant confronted the defenceless Mr Cook." Mr Hyland said a confrontation took place: "When I say confrontation, I mean that the defendant confronted the defenceless Mr Cook."
Joe Cook was described as 'universally liked and loved'
Mr Cook's body was found the following day on the bed in his first-floor bedroom.Mr Cook's body was found the following day on the bed in his first-floor bedroom.
Almost a month after the murder Brear, from Leeds, was arrested when staff at a homeless project in the city became suspicious when he repeatedly mentioned the murder to a support worker.Almost a month after the murder Brear, from Leeds, was arrested when staff at a homeless project in the city became suspicious when he repeatedly mentioned the murder to a support worker.
Joe Cook was described as "universally liked and loved"
A statement from the victim's parents, Lesley and Nick, was read out in court.A statement from the victim's parents, Lesley and Nick, was read out in court.
"Joe was not in the wrong place, at the wrong time," it read. "Joe was not in the wrong place at the wrong time," it read.
"He was in the right place, in his bed, in his room, in his student house. He should have been safe."He was in the right place, in his bed, in his room, in his student house. He should have been safe.
"Joe never knew violence, he had never been in a fight. Joe could offer no provocation, he had no defence."Joe never knew violence, he had never been in a fight. Joe could offer no provocation, he had no defence.
"Our gentle Joe had no hope against a murderer determined to stab him to death."Our gentle Joe had no hope against a murderer determined to stab him to death.
"Joe's murderer did not bungle a burglary, he chose to discard Joe's life, then continue with his work.""Joe's murderer did not bungle a burglary, he chose to discard Joe's life, then continue with his work."
'Unwarranted violence'
Speaking after sentencing, Det Supt Bill Shackleton of West Yorkshire Police, said: "It is clear from the evidence that Brear was under the influence of drugs and alcohol and launched a violent attack on Joe when he encountered him in the house.
"Joe was physically small and is unlikely to have offered much resistance.
"The violence used by Brear was completely unnecessary and unwarranted.
"Brear's criminal lifestyle and drug and alcohol abuse made for a deadly combination which cost an innocent young man his life.
"Joe was universally liked and loved and had his whole life ahead of him.
"His death has left a gap for his family and friends that will never be filled."