He went out to help find a dropped phone. He never made it back inside.
Robert Wilson, a 53-year-old factory supervisor, was murdered outside his workplace in Huddersfield, England, on the night of January 16, 2020. Two teenagers, Kiyran Earnshaw and Luke Gaukroger, were later sentenced to life in prison for his killing.
A Group in the Car Park
Wilson, whose duties at the Thornton & Ross pharmaceutical plant included site security, spotted a group of youths in the car park late that night and went out with two colleagues to investigate. One of the teenagers, Gaukroger, had dropped his phone, and the men offered to help look for it, hoping it would encourage the group to move along. Wilson turned on his phone's flashlight to help search, then put the phone to his ear — a gesture Earnshaw apparently mistook for someone filming the encounter.
The Attack
Earnshaw, who had a 20-inch samurai sword tucked into his waistband, pursued Wilson and began attacking him. When a colleague tried to intervene, his hand was severely injured in the process, and both he and another coworker were forced to run for their lives. Given the extreme severity of what followed — the two teenagers passed the sword between them over roughly ten minutes, inflicting more than 100 wounds — we won't detail the specifics further here beyond confirming that Wilson's cause of death was ultimately ruled to be multiple stab wounds. The entire attack was inadvertently captured on audio, since Wilson had been on a call to the plant's security firm when it began.
Arrest
Police arrived to find the attack still underway. Earnshaw was subdued with a taser before being arrested; Gaukroger was also taken into custody at the scene.
Guilty Pleas and Sentencing
Both teenagers pleaded guilty to murder in June 2020. Earnshaw, who had a prior conviction for stabbing a fellow student years earlier, also pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to Wilson's colleague. At sentencing that September, Earnshaw, 18, received a life sentence with a minimum term of just over 21 years; Gaukroger, who was 15 at the time of the killing, received a minimum term of just over 16 years. The judge described the attack as frenzied and senseless, noting that Wilson had been entirely unable to defend himself.
A Family's Grief
Wilson was married with two grown children and was remembered by his family as a loving husband and father who enjoyed gardening, golf, and walking in the Yorkshire Dales. His wife, Elaine, addressed the court directly, telling the teenagers they had taken the life of a respected and good man, and said she was disturbed to have received a letter from one of them afterward offering an apology.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sentences did Earnshaw and Gaukroger receive?
Both were sentenced to life in prison. Earnshaw received a minimum term of just over 21 years; Gaukroger, who was younger at the time of the crime, received just over 16 years.
What triggered the attack?
Investigators believe Earnshaw mistook Wilson putting a phone to his ear as an attempt to film the group, prompting him to draw the sword.
Was anyone else injured?
Yes. A colleague who tried to intervene was seriously injured and required treatment for his injuries.