David Hill, a 57-year-old resident of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 17 years at Leeds Crown Court for the murder of his neighbour, Kurt Giwisser. The incident, which occurred on 21 February 2023, stemmed from a petty grudge over the condition of a returned paintbrush. Hill, who had a history of criminal convictions including a 2020 offence for making indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children, assaulted Giwisser in a brutal attack that ultimately led to the elderly man's death.
The court heard that Hill harboured resentment towards Giwisser after the 77-year-old returned a paintbrush in a state Hill disliked. On the morning of the assault, Hill, intoxicated by alcohol, banged aggressively on Giwisser's patio door at his home in Huddersfield. Fearing that Hill would smash the door, Giwisser opened it, only for Hill to force his way inside. Hill then subjected Giwisser to a violent beating, kicking and punching him repeatedly while threatening to kill him. The attack only ceased when Giwisser, begging for mercy, revealed his age and status as a pensioner.
Giwisser was initially hospitalised with cuts, bruises, and head injuries following the assault. He was treated and discharged, but his condition deteriorated rapidly. A couple of days later, he lost consciousness, and CT scans revealed blood on his brain, leading to the need for surgery. Complications from these injuries caused a swift decline in Giwisser's health; over the two months before his death in April 2023, he lost interest in music, mobility, self-reliance, and self-care. He became reclusive and terrified, closing his curtains and withdrawing from the security of his home. Heartbroken, Giwisser's daughters, Karen and Amanda, were forced to make the agonising decision to turn off his life support.
- His Honour Judge Robin Mairs addressed Hill during sentencing: "The injuries caused by that assault led directly to Mr Giwisser's death... In the final months your attack robbed him of the security of his beloved home."
- The judge also noted Hill's lack of remorse: "There has been no word of remorse or contrition from you or recognition for the magnitude of what you have done and the grief you have caused."
Following the assault, police arrested Hill, during which bodycam footage captured his unwarranted aggression and racist abuse towards officers. Hill's criminal record included youthful convictions for burglary, as well as later offences of arson and harassment. In mitigation, Christopher Tehrani KC argued that Hill intended to cause really serious harm rather than to kill, highlighting the absence of weapons, fractures, or premeditation, and that Hill stopped the assault voluntarily. However, the court rejected this, imposing the life sentence. As he was led away, Hill remarked, "God bless the NHS." The case was reported by Yorkshire Live, drawing attention to the tragic consequences of Hill's actions on Giwisser's family and community in Huddersfield.