A WOMAN whose husband was killed in a barbaric knife attack by two teenagers who tried to decapitate him is backing a campaign to warn young people about the dangers of carrying knives. 

Robert Wilson, 53, from Birstall, was investigating youths hanging around outside the Thornton and Ross pharmaceutical plant in Huddersfield in January 2019, when he was attacked by Kiyran Earnshaw, 18, and 16-year-old Luke Gaukroger, who passed the 20-inch samurai sword between them.

Audio recorded from Mr Wilson’s phone call to a security firm captured Gaukroger – who was 15 at the time – shouting “get his head.”

Mr Wilson had left the plant to talk to the youths in the car park with colleagues Paul Thewliss and John Badejo.

Mr Badejo was seriously injured as he tried to help his friend and both men were forced to flee for their lives.

Both defendants admitted murdering Mr Wilson and causing Mr Badejo grievous bodily harm with intent. 

Earnshaw and Gaukroger were both sentenced to life with minimum terms of 22 years and 16 years, eight months respectively.

Mr Wilson’s widow, Elaine, is now working with the Kirklees Early Action Team though the PEAK - Positive Engagement Against Knives - project.

It uses education, diversionary work, youth empowerment, inspiration, the use of role models and ongoing support to make a difference. 

The project, a partnership with the Huddersfield Town AFC Foundation, was set up in 2019 with Proceeds of Crime Act funding and the team approached Elaine about supporting its work. 

When Earnshaw and Gaukroger were sentenced in September last year, Elaine told the court her much-loved husband’s death was “completely incomprehensible” and asked:

“How on earth have we come to this and why?”

She said to the defendants: “I want you to know you have taken the life of a much respected, admired and good man.”

Through the PEAK project, Elaine has spoken of how having the opportunity to talk to young people about the impact of what happened to her husband has made her feel more optimistic about the future.

She is hoping to create something positive from her devastating experience, while honouring her husband’s life.

At a recent school workshop, she gave a powerful account of what happened to Robert and students were then invited to ask questions.

The Kirklees District Early Action Team is now planning a ‘Robert Wilson Memorial Award’ for the best student on the project, which is run by PCs Paul Jackson and Richard Booth.

They said: “The young people who have been part of this project have been fantastic and their engagement levels have been really impressive. 

“We have seen significant improvement in pupils’ behaviour and the project enables us to improve relations between police and young people.

"We are extremely grateful for Elaine’s support and after everything she has been through this is very brave and shows immense strength. The project has been very rewarding for us as officers and seeing students turn things around. They deserve a lot of praise.”