Thread: 'Remorseless' killer beat woman to death

'Remorseless' killer beat woman to death

Brutal murderer is jailed for life

Andrew Robinson
Yorkshire Post Today
20 January 2005
yorkshiretoday.co.uk

A MOTHER yesterday paid tribute to her "wonderful, caring" daughter on the day her brutal and remorseless killer was locked up for life.

Nineteen-stone bodybuilder Julian Joseph was jailed yesterday at Bradford Crown Court after a jury found him guilty of murdering his 24-year-old girlfriend, Anna Backhouse.

He will serve at least 17 years in jail before he can be considered for release. The 27-year-old fitness fanatic, who worked out three times a week and could lift 190kg (about 419lbs), beat Miss Backhouse to death in an early-morning argument at their home last May.

A post mortem revealed 83 separate external injuries to her head and body. She also suffered 15 fractured ribs and a fatal tear to her liver. She was pronounced dead in the bedroom of their home in Birkby, Huddersfield.

Joseph, of Spinkfield Road, Birkby, had denied murder, telling the jury he had a row with his girlfriend after she had come home from a night out. He said he was annoyed when she woke him up.

He admitted hitting her and repeatedly throwing her down but also claimed that she had attacked him. He denied punching, kicking or stamping on her.

Last night Miss Backhouse's mother, Val Backhouse, said she had lost her best friend and the oldest of her five children.

The detective who led the inquiry into the murder last night described the killer as remorseless.

Det Chief Insp Steve Hepplestone, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "This was an appalling and prolonged domestic assault causing horrific injuries. So far Mr Joseph has shown no remorse for what he has done and seems unconcerned for the devastation he has caused.

"People who resort to this level of violence need to realise the punishment they will receive. My thoughts are with Anna's family."

Pathetic.