Killer jailed for life after leaving vulnerable man dying on floor after ‘brutal attack’

On March 14, 2024, Julian Hargreaves was found by his brother, Johnathan, laid down on his living room floor.

The court heard Julian was found with two black eyes and had a small cut to the top of his head.

His brother believed he had been on the floor for a total of 14 hours.

At that point Julian was able to name Huw Owen, 42, from Norton, as the person who attacked him.

Owen had assaulted Julian repeatedly and struck him over the head with a lamp, the court was told.

He was then taken to hospital where he failed to make a recovery and passed away three weeks later on April 4, 2024.

Police launched an investigation and uncovered Owen had attacked Julian on the evening of March 13, 2024, left him on the floor and went on the run.

CCTV footage was found showing Owen, on March 14, hiding from police near the scene, peering out now and again to see what was happening, whilst officers worked at the scene.

After a large-scale man-hunt, Owen was located in April 2024 and arrested for murder.

Despite Julian's medical vulnerabilities and pre-existing conditions, there was found to be a direct and substantial link between the head trauma and Julian's death.

Medical experts concluded that Julian had been unlawfully killed.

Owen pleaded not guilty in August 2025, but was later found guilty by a jury at Leeds Crown Court on Friday (Mar 20).

His co-accused, who was also charged with murder, was found not guilty.

In a victim personal statement Julian's brother thanked the NHS for their help with Julian and said finding his brother “unable to move and helpless was beyond upsetting”.

He said: “It's been almost 2 years since the death of my brother Julian, and hardly a day goes by when I don’t remember the sight of him laying helplessly on the floor of his house in Staithes.

“I knew something was wrong as I found his door unlocked but was shocked at what I saw. To see him unable to move and helpless was beyond upsetting.

"I can still hear his voice, and it saddens me to think that I will never be able to see him or speak to him again.

"I am grateful for all the help of the NHS for looking after my brother and the care and commitment of all the police officers that have kept me, and my mother appraised throughout, without whom I am not sure we would have managed."

On Monday (Mar 23), Owen was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 16 years and 110 days in jail.

Police Staff Investigator Paul Thompson, of Scarborough and Ryedale CID said: "This was a calculated and sustained brutal attack, verging on torture, on a vulnerable man.

"Callously, Julian was left lying on the floor overnight, alone and unable to move.

"Understandably, this incident has had a traumatic effect on both Julian's family and the local community of Staithes. Julian was well known and liked, and his death will leave a lasting impact on the local tight-knit community.