Home
Headlines
National
Blackburn
Burnley
Town centre news
Briercliffe news
Brunshaw news
Burnley Wood news
Cliviger news
Hapton news
Ightenhill news
Padiham news
Rosegrove news
Worsthorne news
Prince Charles visit
Mohammed Shafiq stabbing
Burnley weather
Chorley
Darwen
Hyndburn
Pendle
Ribble Valley
Rossendale
Business
Education
Health
Campaigns
National news videos
Local news videos
Condolence
Poll
Letters
Public notices
Elections
Site Map
Search Advanced Search
Burnley headlines  RSS Feed RSS feed | About
When news happens in Burnley
Text news tips, pictures and video to LT 80360
Texts are free, but you will be charged your standard network rate

Email news tips, pictures and video
EDITOR'S CHOICE
TODAY'S POLLS
NEWS: Will the government's tax cuts make up for the 10p 'mistake'?
Click here to vote.

SPORT: Who will win the Champions League?
Click here to vote.

WHAT'S ON
Listings for East Lancashire.

Click here to see what's on - or to add your own events.
VIDEOS
PHOTO SALES
Search Photos:
TV REVIEWS
NATIONAL NEWS
  • News stories
  • Sport stories
  • Showbiz stories
  • UK and world videos
  • GET OUR NEWS BY E-MAIL
    Most read Comments
    Murderer must serve at least 11 years

    A YOUTH who beat a former school mate to death could be freed after spending just 11 years behind bars.

    Shane Steven Taylor, of Brunshaw Avenue, Burnley, pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court in June 2000 to murdering Ryan O'Riley and was jailed for life.

    At The Royal Courts of Justice in London, Mr Justice Roderick Evans ordered that he serve a minimum term - his tariff - of 11 years.

    The judge refused to make it any lower, despite hearing that Taylor has shown remorse for what happened - and regularly lectures young offenders on avoiding a life of crime.

    Mr Justice Evans said that, although Taylor deserves to be "commended" for his actions, his crime was so serious that 11 years was the least he could expect.

    The court heard that Taylor, now 29, attacked Mr O'Riley on January 8, 2000 in Borwsholme Avenue, Burnley, kicking him between eight and 10 times, causing fatal bruising and swelling to his head and neck.

    Taylor had also armed himself with a knife, but did not use it.

    At the Crown Court, Taylor pleaded guilty on the basis that Mr O'Riley had threatened his girlfriend on the day of the murder, and had also bullied him at school. He alleged that, in December 1999, there was another incident in which Mr O'Riley was threatening towards him.

    Justice Evans added that a pyschiatric report suggested Taylor - a labourer - may have reacted particularly strongly after his girlfriend was threatened because his mother was a victim of domestic violence.

    But the judge said he had also taken into account the fact Taylor had a previous conviction for wounding, after attacking a man with a screwdriver.

    Given the time he spent on remand, the ruling means Taylor will be eligible for parole early in 2011, although he will only be released if he can persuade the Parole Board he is no longer a danger to the public.

    Mr O'Riley formerly attended St Mary's RC Junior School and St Theodore's RC High School.

    He worked as a labourer at a packaging firm in Accrington.

    4:05pm Thursday 8th May 2008

    Print   Email this   Comment
    Posted by: cypruslad, cyprus on 4:32pm Thu 8 May 08
    11 years,if it wasnt so serious it would make a good joke.
    Posted by: berny, bly on 7:01pm Thu 8 May 08
    and labour still dont understand why the voters have dumped them
    Posted by: sarah, burnley on 7:08pm Thu 8 May 08
    Id just like to add that Ryan left behind a 2yr son who never got to meet his dad, who now is under councilling due to the loss of hes dad. Im the mother of john-paul(his son), im the one picking up the pieces that the animal left behind and he should serve hes full sentence.!!
    Posted by: parent, Rossy on 7:13pm Thu 8 May 08
    I think he should have his case reviwed and is sentance INCREASED to 30 yrs Min
    Posted by: Jennii on 7:16pm Thu 8 May 08
    Im the sister to john-paul(ryans son) ^^ and i have to put up with watching my little brother ,who i love to bits, go through deppression and councilling!! Hes only 11 and im only 14 myself and i have too cope with watchin him cry when his dads name gets brought up and him wonder what his dad looks like and ask questions about him! he should be sent down for the full 11 years if you ask me!..
    Posted by: escaped, Spain on 7:45pm Thu 8 May 08
    I remember this case well, and all the 'Squirming' taylor and his legal team did at the trial. Ryans Family are showing great restraint in saying he should serve the full sentence: he should NEVER be let out. God be with you both John-Paul & Jennii
    Posted by: Absolute Joke, The dogs on 10:34pm Thu 8 May 08
    Shane deserves locking up for live despite his regular lectures to young offenders.

    This country has gone to the dogs.

    What about the screwdriver stabbing that took place before he murdered this poor lad.

    Lock away this scummy tw@t and throw away the f00k1ng key
    Posted by: me, The dogs on 10:45pm Thu 8 May 08
    Shane deserves locking up for live despite his regular lectures to young offenders.

    This country has gone to the dogs.

    What about the screwdriver stabbing that took place before he murdered this poor lad.

    Lock away this scummy tw@t and throw away the f00k1ng key
    Posted by: me on 10:47pm Thu 8 May 08
    Rot in hell Taylor you scum bag
    Posted by: Any Justice, outhere on 11:51am Fri 9 May 08
    Though many would agree Ryan was no Angel he was not a bad lad. I know most of his family from my childhood is Uncle John Paul who is a good mate. Ryan did not deserve to die so young and tragic the lad who did this had all the intentions of killing him that night. Eleven years is no where near long enough. For the former partner of Ryan Sarah and his son I hope you find strength in one another and the councilling is helping. This murder shook all of Brunshaw that occurred in the early days of the New Millennium. Take care of yourself Sarah and the lad to. Ryan always in our thoughts.
    Posted by: Burnley Taxpayer, Burnley on 2:55pm Fri 9 May 08
    How can 11 years be justified for an act of deliberate murder? In cases such as this life should mean exactly that.
    Posted by: concerned parent, brunshaw on 12:10pm Wed 14 May 08
    If the shoe was on the other foot then im sure the Taylor Family would be fighting for their sons killer to be kept locked up. Shane Taylor took another person's young life and must pay the consequences. Im glad the judge agreed he must serve his full 11 years and not be released early. Makes me angry that, no doubt, it was our tax payers money who funded his unsuccessful appeal.
    Add your comment
    Name:
    Email: *
    Location:
    **
    Security Image. Registered site users are not required to enter Security Image Information.
     
     e.g. 123-123
    Comment:
    Please note: All HTML tags will be ignored.
    Format Text:

     
    By posting a comment, I confirm that I have read and agree to the terms of use. Comments are not moderated but we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention and we may delete inappropriate postings. Please treat other people with respect. You must not post anything that is abusive, indecent, unlawful or defamatory. Remember, you are personally liable for what you post on this site. If you wish to complain about a comment, contact us here.
    * Your email address will not be displayed
    ** To avoid register now or login
    Archive


    Start a conversation on Burnley - or any topic under the sun - in our new Forum.
    Lancashire Search
    Powered by Powered by Fish4
    Retail Directory
    FEATURES
    Browse special features and supplements
    PHOTO SALES
    Buy photos that have appeared in the Lancashire Telegraph
    MEDIA PACK
    All the information you need about our great advertising deals
    Terms & Conditions
    Privacy Policy © Copyright 2001-2008
    Newsquest Media Group
    A Gannett Company
    This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network