Life for ‘elated’ teenager who murdered stepfather in hammer attack

A TEENAGER who murdered his stepfather in a “frenzied” knife and hammer attack before boasting about the killing has been jailed for life.

Daniel Reed, 19, was told he must serve a minimum of 24 years in custody over the murder of 55-year-old Shaun Skelton.

Reed “loathed” his stepfather and attacked him as he slept on a sofa after forcing his way into his flat in York, Leeds Crown Court heard.

After the killing, the teenager told a doctor that Mr Skelton was “just a waste of space, someone who doesn’t deserve life”.

Reed armed himself with a hammer and a screwdriver before walking from his mother’s home to the property where Skelton lived at Chancery House, Holgate Road.

Reed was caught on a CCTV camera kicking the door down shortly after 11.30pm on March 5.

Mr Skelton suffered 70 separate injuries including a skull fracture and a gaping wound to his throat.

It is thought the victim was struck to the head with the hammer at least 15 times and was kicked, punched and stamped upon.

He was also stabbed in the chest and neck area with a knife.

Jonathan Sharp, prosecuting, said: “Reed loathed him, had said repeatedly to his mother that he wanted to kill him, and had previously attacked him.”

Reed said he was “elated” after the killing and described the attack in a letter, saying: “I had an urge to kill him.”

Reed, of Strensall Road, York, admitted murder. Mr Sharp said Reed had a history of disturbed behaviour since childhood.

Sentencing Reed, Mr Justice Langstaff said: “You are a very dangerous man.”