Man, 26, coated in creosote and tortured to death - for asking young mother out on a date



Shaun Fitton was brutally assaulted and murdered after asking Rebecca Birt out on a date

A 26-year-old man was stripped naked, covered with white paint and then tortured to death after asking a young mother out on a date.

Shaun Fitton was overheard flirting with 22-year-old Rebecca Birt at a party by her boyfriend Shaun Beatty, who seized Fitton and began assaulting him.

The entire attack, - inculding an horrific sexual assault which left Fritton with fatal internal injuries - was filmed on a camcorder by Birt. She can be heard laughing and encouraging others to continue the torture in the tape.

Fitton was eventually dropped head first and naked into a wheelie bin before being hauled around the streets.



Police officers found him screaming in agony and covered in paint by a wheelie bin in Birt's back yard.

He died 24 hours later in hospital from multiple organ failure.



Police arrested the killers after finding Birt's video camera in her home, containing three clips of the torture session.

Beatty, 20 of West Bank Street, Atherton, near Wigan, Greater Manchester was jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 23 years after being convicted of murder whilst Birt, was jailed for nine years after being found guilty of manslaughter.

Birt's former lover Owen Skeate, 23, of Bowling Green Row, Atherton, was also jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 23 years after he was convicted of murder.



As he sentenced the trio at Liverpool Crown Court, Mr Justice Henriques described the murder as both sexually motivated and sadistic.

The court had previously been told the victim had been subjected to a 'sadistic killing' and jurors recoiled and covered their mouths in shock as they watched Birt's footage of the incident.

'This was a sexually motivated and sadistic killing,' said Mr Neil Flewitt QC prosecuting.



Shaun Beatty was convicted of murder while his girlfriend Rebecca Birt was jailed for nine years after being convicted of manslaughter



'Shaun Fitton was totally defenceless. What they did to him was intended to humiliate and punish him for what he had said earlier.

'They are all responsible for what was done to Shaun Fitton either because they inflicted the injuries themselves or because they assisted and encouraged those who inflicted the injuries.'

Fitton, described by his family 'as a soft-hearted, tender person with a heart of gold', had gone to Birt's home for a party she was throwing for Beatty and her former boyfriend in August last year.

Trouble began when then victim propositioned Birt. Beatty punched Fiton in the eye before grabbing him.



He intially had white paint poured over his body and nail varnish slapped on his finger and toenails.

The court heard how the voices of the killers could be heard in the background laughing and shouting words of encouragement.

The attack only came to an end when neighbours called police after they saw Fitton, unconscious and covered in paint, being dragged around the streets inside the wheelie bin.

Owen Skeate was also jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 23 years after he was convicted of murder

When oficers arrived Beatty fled the scene but the others were found inside the house.

Skeate, Gerrard and Birt were standing at the kitchen door.

PC Robert Longman told the hearing: 'Shaun was kneeling up, completely naked and covered in white paint. He was screaming in agony. I asked all three who he was and what had happened. They all just laughed and said: "We've painted him".'

Birt later told the interviewing detective that covering the victim in paint had been 'just a joke.'

Beatty handed himself in 24 hours after the killing. Another man Michael Gerrard, 22, of Rivington Street, Atherton, was acquitted of murder.

In a statement after the case, Fitton's father Anthony Hall said: 'Shaun was a soft-hearted, tender person and was loved by all his family.

'He was a beloved son, brother, nephew, uncle and cousin. He had a heart of gold and was well liked by his friends - but sadly he had got in with the wrong crowd.

'I think Shaun has finally got justice and can finally be laid to rest and hopefully be with God.



'His family will always be thinking of him and I will never forget him until the day I die.'



Following sentencing today, Senior Investigating Officer Andy Tattersall said: 'This was a cruel and senseless attack on a man, who through drink was barely able to stand let alone defend himself against such vicious and vile actions from people he thought of as friends.

'These three people are equally responsible for his death - irrespective of who actually inflicted these horrible injuries because not one of them did anything to stop this or help Shaun and, in fact, encouraged each other.

'I hope seeing those responsible getting the sentences they deserve provides some comfort for Shaun's family.'

