Teenagers jailed for hacking companion to death with scythes

THREE British teenagers who hacked to death a camping companion with two large agricultural scythes were jailed for life yesterday.

John Sawdon, aged 17, Jermaine James, also 17, and 16-year-old Rebecca Peeters inflicted more than 80 separate wounds on 17-year-old Terry Hurst during a camping trip at Broomhead Reservoir, near Sheffield, on the night of July 19 last year, Sheffield Crown Court heard.

The trio, who admitted murder at a previous hearing, left the largest scythe embedded in Mr Hurst’s neck, the court was told.

The judge, Mr Justice Andrew Smith, told each defendant they would have to serve a mandatory life sentence.

But he said Sawdon would have to serve a minimum of 15 years before he was considered. Peeters and James must serve 13 years.

Peeters was 15 at the time of the murder.

The judge told them: “Your offence was chilling. “You knew he would be defenceless. You found him in a tent and set about him mercilessly.

“After the initial assault, Terry Hurst tried in vain to run. He couldn’t escape. You all chased him and caught him and continued the attack.

The judge described how the injuries inflicted by the trio included more than 60 cuts to his body.

He said they kicked Mr Hurst, stamped on his head and put a plastic bag over his head as well as attacking him with the scythes.

The judge also described other injuries the 17-year-old, who suffered from learning disabilities, suffered, including a broken jaw and a tooth knocked down his throat.

Detective Superintendent Kevin Hardy said he had no idea what made the three teenagers kill, adding that it was a “unique” crime.

He said James only met the 17-year-old the day before and Peeters hardly knew him.

Mr Hardy said Sawdon seems to have held a long standing animosity towards Mr Hurst and had threatened to kill him before.

“It appears as though Terry used to go out with a young girl. Once their relationship finished John Sawdon then started a relationship with her. It appears there’s been some jealousy festering as a result.”