A FATHER, his daughter and her boyfriend have been sentenced to a total of 52 years for the murder of a dad-of-four outside a Derbyshire social club.
Vincent Aitken, 44, of Chapel Street, Kilburn, Emma Aitken, 19, and Nathan Doherty, 27, both of Portland Street, Derby, were sentenced to life for the murder of Barry Smith at Leicester Crown Court this afternoon.
Vincent Aitken must serve a minimum of 22 years, his daughter Emma must serve a minimum of 12 years while her boyfriend, Doherty, must serve 18 years before being eligible for release.
Mr Smith's burnt body was discovered by two dog walkers outside Kilburn Welfare Social Club on the morning of October 6 last year.
The 48-year-old was beaten to death with a fence post dragged to a pile of rubbish and his body set alight. Mr Smith, previously described by his family as "a proud gypsy" had lived in Kilburn for six years.
He lived in Mayfield Avenue and his cause of death was multiple injuries. In court to hear the verdict were his former wife, Dawn Smith, his four children and members of his family who have travelled to each day of the seven week trial from their homes in Doncaster and North Lincolnshire.
Mr Smith was a father to daughter Billy-Jo, 22, and sons Barrie-John, 20, Luke, 19, and Nathan, 16. He also had three grandchildren – Josephine-Star, two, Selina-Louise, one, and eight-month-old Arlie-John.
Mr Smith's family screamed in fury at the sentence and stormed out yelling.
There were cries of "disgusting" and "took a life, 12 years - call that justice?"
