The Recorder of Bradford, Judge Richard Mansell QC, will sentence two murderers today (Friday).

Alex Bates, 19, of Eastfield Gardens, Holme Wood, Bradford, and Rashpal Singh Gill, 40, of Leeds Road, Bradford, were convicted by the jury yesterday morning after a trial lasting more than four weeks.

Mohammed Jawaid Khan, 53, of Leylands Lane, Heaton, Bradford, was cleared of murder but found guilty of assisting an offender.

All three men will be back before the court this morning to find out their sentences. They were remanded in custody throughout the case.

It is thought that the sentencing hearing will get underway at 10.30am - and the T&A will provide updates on this website as soon as the length of the sentences is announced. 

After the verdicts had been returned, Judge Mansell said that he will address the jurors today with “thanks and recognition” for their work on the case. Some are returning to court while others will listen on the CVP link.

Judge Mansell will also speak publicly to members of Paul Ackroyd’s family who have been present in court for the trial.

Mr Ackroyd was attacked at a flat in Bradford and dragged dying into the street.

Kirsty Rushworth, 32, of Walker Avenue, Lidget Green, Bradford, was acquitted of assisting an offender. She was on bail and walked free from the dock after the verdict was returned.

The verdicts were all unanimous and came after the jurors had been deliberating since last Friday for almost 19 hours.

Bates and Khan pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, and Gill admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine, before the trial started.

Judge Mansell will sentence them for those offences at the same time.

Mr Ackroyd, 37, known as Acky, was murdered in the early hours of February 23, 2019.

Prosecutor Peter Moulson QC told Bradford Crown Court he was attacked in a flat at 10 Jinnah Court, Manningham, and dragged out into the street while he was dying.