A MAN and woman have been found guilty of the murder of Wombwell man John Gogarty.

Mr Gogarty, known as Irish Paddy, was stabbed 69 times in his own home at Marsh Street on July 13 this year.

Ian Birley, 43, and Helen Nichols, 38, both of Mont Walk, Wombwell, were convicted by a jury of murder and robbery following a two-week trial at Sheffield Crown Court.

Nichols admitted she went to Mr Gogarty's house to rob him, but denied murder. She had claimed boyfriend Ian Birley, 43, stabbed Mr Gogarty to force him to give up his bank card and PIN number.

She told the court it was only after she returned to the house from the ATM having withdrawn £500 from Mr Gogarty's account that she found Birley stabbing Mr Gogarty. But the jury accepted the prosecution's case that they were 'in it together' and found them both guilty of murder.

During the investigation, it was a receipt for a £500 cash withdrawal found next to Mr Gogarty's body that led officers to Nichols and her boyfriend Birley.

Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Handley, leading the investigation, said: "This was a horrific and unprovoked attack and I am pleased the jury has found Birley and Nichols guilty of murder.

"Mr Gogarty was a hard-working, security conscious man who kept himself to himself. He was mild-mannered and never displayed violence to anyone.

"Birley and Nichols went round to Marsh Street on Monday July 13 to rob Mr Gogarty but because he did not have cash at his home, Birley inflicted a level of violence on an innocent man that can only be described as atrocious.

"Evidence suggested that Mr Gogarty was threatened for his money. He endured significant pain at the hands of Birley and Nichols and I hope that their sentence reflects the severity of this inhumane act."

The pair will be sentenced on Monday.