A murder trial judge today thanks jurors who deliberated over the case for nearly 19 hours.

The Recorder of Bradford, Judge Richard Mansell QC thanked the jurors for their high degree of commitment to the trial, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The panel spent almost 19 hours deliberating the verdicts and had attended court for more than four weeks.

“The degree of commitment you have shown is hugely appreciated by the court and the judge,” Judge Mansell said.

The pandemic had made conditions immensely challenging and stressful and yet less than five weeks had elapsed from the beginning of the case to the sentencing hearing.

“You can all be extremely proud that you served on this jury and you leave with my sincere thanks,” Judge Mansell stated.

At the sentencing hearing today, a man and a teenager were given life sentences for the brutal murder of a Bradford builder who was dragged into the street while unconscious and left to die.

Paul Ackroyd, 37, a much-loved son and father, was attacked at a flat in Jinnah Court, Manningham, Bradford, in the early hours of February 23, 2019.

Today, Alex Bates, 19, of Eastfield Gardens, Holme Wood, Bradford, was detained at Her Majesty’s pleasure for a minimum term of 14 years and 358 days.

Rashpal Singh Gill, 40, of Leeds Road, Bradford, was jailed for a minimum term of 11 years and 358 days.

They were convicted of murder yesterday after a trial at Bradford Crown Court.

Mohammed Jawaid Khan, 53, of Leylands Lane, Heaton, Bradford, who was cleared of murder but found guilty of assisting an offender, was imprisoned for a total of four years for that offence and conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.