Man gets life sentence for murder of former friend left to die in Leeds house fire
53 year old Darren Leach was found dead by friends in March after a fire was started at his house in Beeston.
Last updated 12th Nov 2025
A man has been jailed for life, with a minimum term of 25 years, for the murder of a friend in a serious assault at a home in Leeds.
53 year old Darren Leach was found dead in Marsden Grove on March 19 after a fire was started at his house in Beeston.
He had suffered seven broken ribs, multiple fractures to his larynx, a black eye and bruising to his face and neck but had ultimately died of smoke inhalation - after flames broke out near a sofa in his home.
Police investigating later determined Mr Leach had been attacked by former friend William Joyce, who had turned up at his door demanding money, alcohol and cigarettes.
Joyce was caught on CCTV leaving Darren's home with a stolen TV - he was sentenced today at Leeds Crown Court following his conviction last week.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Stacey Atkinson, said: “What we heard from those who knew Darren Leach was that he was a well-liked man who sadly had had issues with alcoholism in recent years."
"Joyce has preyed on Darren’s vulnerabilities and appears to have gone to his home that day with the intention of taking cash or other property from him.
“Darren suffered some significant, nasty injuries in the assault that Joyce subjected him to.
"While we do not know whether the cause of the fire was deliberate or accidental, the evidence presented to the court tells us that Darren’s injuries left him incapacitated meaning he was unable to escape the fire and therefore played a significant role in his death.
“I hope the verdict that has been passed provides some comfort to Darren’s family and friends at the end of what has been an extremely difficult year for them.”
A statement from Darren Leach's siblings reads: "William Joyce is a repeat violent offender, who would prey on vulnerable people for his own selfish gains and attacks them when he doesn't get what he wants."
"William Joyce needlessly murdered our brother Darren Leach on the 18th March this year, inside his own home knowing Darren was no match for Joyce and therefore unable to stand up and defend himself against William Joyce's vicious fatal attack.
"We all are extremely happy with the jury coming to a unanimous decision and finding William Joyce guilty of murdering Darren Leach.
"Our family would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Brooks and his prosecution team, the family liaison officers along with West Yorkshire Police and everyone behind the scenes, who together compiled all the evidence for presenting a very strong case to convict William Joyce.
"Despite the verdict, we are still left with the pain and heartache of Darren's death, knowing we will never see him again and Darren will never get to see his children and grandchildren grow up.
"Darren was a kind and thoughtful man who lost his way through tragedy, losing our mother in 2007. Darren has now got the justice he deserves.
"We love you, we miss you.... finally, you can rest in peace."