Leeds man found guilty of murder after 'well-liked' Darren Leach left unable to escape fire in Beeston

Mr Leach’s body was found by friends in his house on Marsden Grove in Beeston on the morning of March 19.

There had been a smouldering fire contained within the premises and he had visible burn injuries. A postmortem examination showed he had inhaled carbon monoxide, but the pathologist also found he had seven broken ribs, multiple fractures to his larynx, a black eye and bruising to his face and neck.

It was concluded these injuries were the result of an assault that had occurred prior to the fire and that these injuries were of a life-threatening nature.

William Joyce, aged 38, of Woodview Terrace, Beeston, Leeds, was found guilty of murder today (November 7) following a trial at Leeds Crown Court.

He was also found guilty of an offence of theft in relation to a television that belonged to Mr Leach. Joyce has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on Wednesday, November 12.

Joyce was seen on CCTV attending Mr Leach’s home address and they appeared to speak on the doorstep for several minutes before Joyce entered and the door closed behind him. Mr Leach was not seen alive again.

An hour and a half later, at around 6:20pm, Joyce was captured leaving the address carrying a television in a bag. No other person was seen entering or leaving the property until the discovery of the body the following day.

Witnesses told the court that on March 18, Mr Leach was in possession of a wad of cash which he said was for rent. They also told the court Joyce was aware of this money and had been making demands for it.

Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Stacey Atkinson, said: “What we heard from those who knew Darren Leach was that he was a well-liked man who sadly had had issues with alcoholism in recent years. Joyce has preyed on Darren’s vulnerabilities and appears to have gone to his home that day with the intention of taking cash or other property from him.

“Darren suffered some significant, nasty injuries in the assault that Joyce subjected him to. While we do not know whether the cause of the fire was deliberate or accidental, the evidence presented to the court tells us that Darren’s injuries left him incapacitated meaning he was unable to escape the fire and therefore played a significant role in his death.

“I hope the verdict that has been passed provides some comfort to Darren’s family and friends at the end of what has been an extremely difficult year for them.”

A statement issued by the family of the victim read: “William Joyce is a repeat violent offender, who would prey on vulnerable people for his own selfish gains and attacks them when he doesn't get what he wants.

“William Joyce needlessly murdered our brother Darren Leach on the 18th March this year, inside his own home knowing Darren was no match for Joyce and therefore unable to stand up and defend himself against William Joyce's vicious fatal attack.

“We all are extremely happy with the jury coming to a unanimous decision and finding William Joyce guilty of murdering Darren Leach.

“Our family would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Brooks and his prosecution team, the family liaison officers along with West Yorkshire Police and everyone behind the scenes, who together compiled all the evidence for presenting a very strong case to convict William Joyce.

“Despite the verdict, we are still left with the pain and heartache of Darren's death, knowing we will never see him again and Darren will never get to see his children and grandchildren grow up.

“Darren was a kind and thoughtful man who lost his way through tragedy, losing our mother in 2007. Darren has now got the justice he deserves. We love you, we miss you.... finally, you can rest in peace.”