Alan Greaves: Church Organist Killers Jailed

Two men who attacked and killed a church organist as he walked to Midnight Mass have been sentenced to a total of 34 years in prison.

Jonathan Bowling, 22, was jailed for life and must serve a minimum term of 25 years after admitting last month that he had killed Alan Greaves, 68.

Mr Greaves died after he was found lying in the street yards from his home

Ashley Foster, also 22, had denied murder but was found guilty of manslaughter after a three-week trial. He was jailed for nine years at Sheffield Crown Court.

The pair, who were described during their trial as "virtually brothers", were caught on CCTV walking behind Mr Greaves seconds before he was smashed over the head with a pickaxe handle and another weapon which has never been found.

Fuelled by lager and Bacardi and Coke, the pair had gone in search of someone to attack after a family party. 

They found Mr Greaves, who was walking to St Saviour's Church in High Green, Sheffield, for Midnight Mass on December 24 last year to play the organ as he had done for 40 years.

Foster handed himself into police after being recognised by family and friends, but said he was a "witness" to the murder.

He and his partner Natalie Evers claimed they were frightened of Bowling.

The pickaxe handle used to batter Mr Greaves

The jury heard Foster never had a proper job, although he did casual work at a local farm.

He and Bowling had known each other since their early teens when Bowling's father was in a relationship with Foster's mother.

Mr Greaves, who was a retired social worker and dedicated community volunteer, died three days after being found lying in the street a few hundred yards from his home in High Green.

He was carrying a briefcase containing sheet music but the police found nothing had been taken from him by his attackers.

Mr Greaves with wife Maureen on their wedding day

Speaking after the sentencing, Mr Greaves' wife Maureen said she was extremely pleased with the result.

"To think Ashley's got nine years is the very best we could have got in the circumstances of the manslaughter.

"To think that Jonathan's got 25 minimum and to think he'll probably never come out, I really am wonderfully pleased with the result."

She told reporters she would not read a letter Bowling had written to her.

"To put it into my hands the days he was going to get sentenced, I didn't think it was very appropriate," she said.

"If he was going to write me a letter he should have written it a long time ago."

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