Huddersfield, West Yorkshire – A tragic family saga unfolded as a man mercilessly stabbed his own sister to death with a samurai sword, just a week after his son was sentenced to life in jail for fatally stabbing another teenager in a violent knife attack near a school. The chilling events occurred outside the home where the sister lived with their elderly mother, leaving the community in shock.
Roger Harriott, 56, was described by the court as having a toxic relationship with his sister, Sandra Harriott. The siblings had reportedly clashed over the care of their mother, who was battling Alzheimer’s disease. Prior to the fatal attack, Roger had a history of physically and verbally abusing Sandra, causing her to live in fear of him, according to court testimony.
The tragic incident unfolded with Roger waiting outside Sandra’s home before dawn, armed with a samurai sword. CCTV footage captured the horrifying moment when he launched a vicious attack on his sister, striking her multiple times with the deadly weapon. Despite Sandra’s attempts to defend herself, she succumbed to her injuries and tragically passed away in the hospital, leaving behind two adult sons.
In a disturbing turn of events, Roger had also been under investigation for defrauding his mother, which further strained his relationship with Sandra. The court heard that Sandra had taken precautions, such as obtaining a non-molestation order, to protect herself from Roger’s threatening behavior. Despite these measures, Roger breached the order and his bail conditions, leading to the devastating outcome.
Following the brutal murder, Roger immediately surrendered to authorities, admitting his heinous crime. He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 23 years for the murder of his sister. The court emphasized the calculated nature of the attack, highlighting the premeditated and callous actions that led to Sandra’s untimely death.
As the community grapples with the senseless violence that has shattered two families, Detective Superintendent Alan Weekes expressed shock over the level of violence displayed in the attack. The tragic loss of Sandra Harriott serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of domestic violence and familial discord, underscoring the need for support and intervention in such volatile situations.
In a separate but equally harrowing case, Roger’s son, Jovani Harriott, was also handed a life sentence – with a minimum term of 18 years – for the murder of Khayri McLean, a 15-year-old victim of a brutal knife attack committed outside a school. The court heard that Jovani and his cousin had orchestrated the attack, further highlighting the cycle of violence and tragedy that has plagued these families.