Huddersfield, West Yorkshire – A harrowing trial unfolded at Leeds Crown Court as the details of a tragic crime committed by Marcus Osborne were revealed. Osborne, 35, admitted to brutally murdering Katie Higton and her new partner, Steve Harnett, out of a disturbing “sexual jealousy” motive. The horrific incident took place on May 15, 2023, in Huddersfield, where Osborne also perpetrated a rape on another woman in the same location.
Prosecutors painted a chilling picture of the events that unfolded at Harpe Inge in Dalton, as Osborne took the lives of Ms. Higton and Mr. Harnett in a violent attack fueled by his inability to accept the end of his relationship with Ms. Higton. The court heard how Osborne, armed with a knife, viciously assaulted Ms. Higton upon her return from a cinema date with Mr. Harnett, resulting in 99 injuries to the 27-year-old victim.
Following the brutal murders, Osborne manipulated Ms. Higton’s phone to lure Mr. Harnett to the scene, where he met a similarly tragic fate, sustaining 24 knife wounds. The court also learned that Osborne engaged in sadistic behavior by inflicting an injury on Mr. Harnett while he was still alive. As the scene unfolded, another woman present in the house was held captive, enduring a night of terror that culminated in a harrowing rape at knifepoint.
Moreover, disturbing details emerged regarding Osborne’s history of violence, as the court revealed his past convictions for offenses of a similar nature against two previous partners. Ms. Higton had taken steps to report Osborne’s abusive behavior to the authorities, making complaints at the Huddersfield police station and engaging with officers days before the fatal attack.
The court proceedings shed light on the tragic impact of Osborne’s heinous actions, as Ms. Higton’s mother, Nicola McAlister, described the accused as “a monster of the worst kind.” The heart-wrenching victim personal statement emphasized the profound loss and anguish experienced by Ms. McAlister following the devastating loss of her daughter.
As the sentencing hearings commenced, Osborne remained impassive to the gravity of his crimes, even as the prosecution made a case for a whole-life order given the severity of his actions. The courtroom atmosphere was heavy with emotion, as sobs from Mr. Harnett’s family members underscored the profound impact of the senseless tragedy orchestrated by Osborne.