Rare whole-life sentence for killer who tortured couple

Giving a statement outside Leeds Crown Court, the family of Katie Higton have described her killer as a “monster”.

After Marcus Osborne was handed a rare whole-life term for the murder of Katie and her partner Steven Harnett, they say Osborne was: “a man, if he can be called that, whose name does not deserve to even be mentioned within the same breath as hers”.

“His sentencing today will not change the life sentence of loss he has inflicted upon us all. We want to thank all those who have supported us through such a horrific time.

“No family should have to endure what we have suffered, but the kind words have helped as we strive to remember the woman who was our world, and who touched the worlds of so many around her.

“We also wish to thank the investigation team at West Yorkshire Police who have supported our family through this unimaginable time and now ask that our privacy is respected.”