TWO men have been jailed for life for the brutal murder of convicted rapist Alan Street.
Peter Leonard, 52, of Trinity Street, Oswaldtwistle, was jailed for 27 years and 66 days. Allan Palmer, 44, of Stockbridge Road, Padiham, will serve a minimum of 24 years and 66 days. Kieron Davison, 21, of Lancaster Drive, Padiham, was jailed for eight years after he was found guilty of manslaughter.
Judge Anthony Russell QC handed down the sentences at Preston Crown Court yesterday (Thursday) following a six week trial.
A jury previously heard how victim Alan Street, 26, of Lime Avenue, Oswaldtwistle, was lured back to Allan Palmer’s house on 21 December last year where he was savagely beaten with a wooden pole, a whiskey bottle and scissors, and stamped on.
The bloody trail that exposed Street killers
Police launched a murder probe after an anonymous caller directed them to the house, where they found a blood soaked room and clothing.
Mr Street’s body was found in a culvert near Woodnook Mill in Accrington almost a month after the horrific attack.
A fourth man, Ian Palmer, 45, of Whitegate Drive, Padiham, was found not guilty of murder and manslaughter and walked free from court.
Detective Superintendent Neil Hunter, who led the major investigation, said: "Today brings an end to what has been a very difficult and resource intensive inquiry and one of the most challenging investigations that I have worked on for some considerable time.
"When I first visited the scene the sight that greeted me was horrific. It was quite clear that an act of gratuitous violence had taken place and now those people responsible have been quite rightly punished with lengthy terms of imprisonment.
"The wicked nature of the attack which was extremely unpleasant, involving elements of torture on a man who was unable to defend himself which was sickening and demonstrates how cowardly the offenders were, especially Leonard and Palmer.
" Their respect for human life was deplorable.
"I have nothing but admiration for the family and friends of Mr Street, who have conducted themselves with such dignity throughout this case, I hope that today’s outcome brings some closure for them and I wish them all well for the future."
Click the video window for CCTV footage showing the final events leading to Alan street's murder
