Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Sunday 23rd March 2025, at 09:00hrs
Leeds Crown Court has sentenced 32-year-old Jason Holdgate to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 18 years, for the murder of 72-year-old Michael Bradley in York.
Holdgate pleaded guilty to the murder, which involved a sustained and violent attack using a hammer and knife.
The body of Michael Bradley was discovered at his home in Whitethorn Close on November 4, 2024, after concerned neighbours alerted social services and North Yorkshire Police.
Officers found Mr. Bradley with severe head and facial injuries, a stab wound to his neck, and extensive bruising.
Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.
A subsequent murder investigation revealed that Holdgate and 43-year-old Nicola Anne Beck had been staying at Mr. Bradley’s home for two weeks prior to the discovery of his body.
The pair, both drug users, had befriended Mr. Bradley, who had allowed them to stay at his residence and use his car.
Neighbours became suspicious when Mr. Bradley, known for his regular routines and presence in his garden or car, disappeared. Instead, they observed Holdgate and Beck coming and going from the property and using Mr. Bradley’s vehicle.
Initially, Beck was arrested on suspicion of murder, but further investigations determined that Holdgate was the sole perpetrator.
He pleaded guilty to the murder on March 14, 2025.
Both Holdgate and Beck were also charged with the theft of Mr. Bradley’s car, which they sold to an unsuspecting buyer. The buyer discovered the car was stolen when they went to Mr. Bradley’s home to collect the logbook and found police at the scene.
Holdgate, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to murder, and a charge of vehicle theft was allowed to lie on file. He received a life sentence with a minimum of 18 years.
Beck, also of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to vehicle theft and was sentenced to 16 weeks in jail.
Detective Superintendent Fran Naughton, head of Major and Organised Crime at North Yorkshire Police, condemned the pair’s actions.
“Holdgate and Beck preyed on Mr. Bradley and took advantage of him out of greed.
Tragically, that cost him his life in the most senseless and violent way,” she stated.
“We may never know the motive for his murder, but we do know that Holdgate carried out a sustained attack, using a hammer and a knife, resulting in multiple injuries.
He is now facing the consequences of his horrific violence.”
Detective Superintendent Naughton further highlighted the chaotic lifestyle of the defendants, noting their daily use of class A drugs and their desperation to fund their addiction.
She also expressed gratitude to the local community for their crucial assistance in the investigation.
“My thanks go to the local community who, despite the shock of Michael’s death, provided invaluable information that assisted our investigation.
Although Michael was a private man, his neighbours were clearly concerned about him and raised the alarm when they had not seen him for several days,” she concluded.
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