Derry Court: Anderson brothers sentence for 'brutal and heartless' murder of Karol Kelly welcomed

Sean Anderson (24) and his brother Gary Anderson (25) both of Grafton Street in Derry have been told they will serve a minimum of 17 and 15 years respectively for the murder of Karol Kelly in the city on March 4 2018.

Both men had been found guilty of the murder of Karol Kelly after a trial lasting 22 days and were automatically sentenced to life in prison.

Today Judge Philip Babington imposed the tariff meaning the minimum they will serve before being considered for release.

Mr Kelly died after being stabbed several times after an incident at the Anderson's home in Grafton Street.

The court heard that the brothers were attacked in their home by the deceased and another man and the judge said 'the reason for this attacks is somewhat unclear.'

After the two men left the house they were pursued by the some people from the house one of them armed with a knife.

The judge said that eyewitnesses had seen the defendant Sean Anderson involved in a 'punching motion' towards the deceased who was lying on the ground.

One witness told the trial that she shouted 'you better not kill him' during the incident only for Gary Anderson to shout back 'you better shut up or I'll kill you too'.

Judge Babington said that autopsy evidence revealed that of all the injuries inflicted one of them 'was not survivable'.

Photos from the scene of the incident. Images: PSNI

Sean Anderson was assessed by probation as being dangerous while Gary Anderson was not.

The judge said that the deceased 'sustained multiple stab wounds some of which were undoubtedly inflicted when the deceased was lying defenceless on the ground.'

The judge said any attack involving knives was 'both cowardly and unacceptable'.

He said that the attack involved 'gratuitous violence' and said that Sean Anderson displayed a 'minimal level of remorse' considering 'the brutal and heartless way in which the deceased was killed.'

He imposed a tariff of 17 years on Sean Anderson before he is to be considered for release.

As regards Gary Anderson the judge said he had 'played a lesser role' and he was satisfied this defendant was remorseful.

But the judge said that he 'played a part in this horrific crime.'

He imposed a tariff of 15 years before he is considered for release.

Speaking after the hearing Paul Kelly brother of the deceased made a statement in which the family said that what happened was 'wrong, brutal and heartless'.

They said that Karol Kelly's children had been robbed of their childhood after losing their father.

They welcomed the sentence and said they were ready 'to close down this horrible chapter in our lives.'

Detective Inspector Michelle Griffin says the family of Karol Kelly, (Pictured above), who was murdered in Derry/Londonderry in 2018, has left his loved ones 'heartbroken and bereft'. pic.twitter.com/oC9eo4fGnn

— Police Derry City and Strabane (@PSNIDCSDistrict) March 23, 2023

Following the sentence, PSNI Detective Inspector Michelle Griffin said: “Mr Kelly, accompanied by another man, had gone to the home of the Andersons to confront the brothers.  

“On leaving the address he was pursued by the defendants, who had armed themselves with kitchen knives, and was viciously attacked. He sustained multiple wounds, including stab wounds to his chest and abdomen and, sadly, died. 

“This was a brutal attack, which took a young man’s life, and leaves five children without their father.

“It’s over five years on since this tragic event and the family, understandably, remain heartbroken and bereft.  They have had to, once again, recall each and every detail of such a cruel, senseless and irreversible attack.  

“My thoughts are with them today.  I can only hope that today’s outcome allows them to start their grieving process.

“I also hope that it sends out a clear message that we are committed to bringing offenders before the courts, where they will be held accountable for their actions and that no one should take the law into their own hands.”