ANWAR ROSSER'S BRUTAL MURDER OF KEIGHLEY CHILD LEAVES COMMUNITY IN SHOCK

In a chilling and tragic case that has shocked the town of Keighley, a man named Anwar Daniel Rosser has been sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for the savage murder of a four-year-old boy named Riley Turner. The horrific incident occurred on the night of January 19, 2014, and has left the local community devastated and seeking justice for the innocent child.

According to court proceedings, Riley was attacked while he was peacefully sleeping in his own bed at his family home. The court heard that Rosser, a former soldier who had enlisted in the 5 Regiment Royal Artillery at the age of 16 but never saw active service, entered the house armed with four knives, including one stolen from a pub where he worked as a part-time chef. The attack was described as both savage and sadistic, with Riley suffering 30 stab wounds during the assault.

It was revealed that Riley’s mother, who was sleeping nearby, woke around 4:30 am to find Rosser curled up next to her bed. Shockingly, he was found with four knives, one of which he had stolen from the pub. The mother was horrified and demanded that Rosser leave, but he asked for tobacco and expressed remorse, saying he was sorry. Meanwhile, Riley’s stepfather discovered the boy’s semi-naked body in his bedroom after being alerted by Riley’s mother. The stepfather raised the alarm immediately, and paramedics were called to the scene.

Despite their efforts, Riley was pronounced dead at the hospital at 6 am. The investigation quickly led to Rosser, who was found the following day after breaking into a caravan. The man who found him reported that Rosser told him, “I have ruined my life,” indicating some awareness of his actions, despite later denying any recollection of the events.

Rosser’s background was scrutinized during the trial. He had a troubled history, including physical abuse as a baby and being adopted by a professional couple at age five. By the age of eight, he was displaying poorly controlled behavior, including starting fires. At 16, he attacked another boy while he was sleeping, smashing a trophy into his skull. He also struggled with alcohol dependence and was described by experts as a psychopath with a high risk of further violent acts, especially involving children.

The court heard that Rosser had been drinking heavily at the nearby Bracken Arms pub on the day of the murder. After drinking, he returned to Riley’s family home with two women, but when they left, Rosser asked to stay because he owed money to some men outside. The family, who had previously shown him kindness and helped furnish his flat, took pity on him and allowed him to sleep on their sofa downstairs. However, after they went to bed, Rosser climbed the stairs armed with four knives and a bladed article, and launched his brutal attack.

During the trial, the prosecution argued that the murder involved sadistic motivation and possibly a sexual component. Riley’s family, who were present in the courtroom, were visibly distressed. Riley’s mother, Sharon, read a victim impact statement describing Rosser as a “sick monster” and expressing her profound grief and guilt. She stated, “I live every day in this nightmare. My son’s never coming back because of that sick monster. I wish I had told that monster no that night when he asked if he could sleep. I didn’t want him to get beaten up, but all along he had a knife in his pocket, plotting to hurt one of us, or all of us. I feel so much guilt that my poor son had to go through horrific things because of my kind heart. My kind heart cost me my son’s life. I don’t feel like ever being nice to people at all except my family. The guilt eats me away every day.”

In sentencing Rosser, Mr. Justice Coulson emphasized the gravity of the crime, describing it as a premeditated “appalling catalogue of injuries” committed with “appalling savagery.” He condemned Rosser for grossly breaching the trust placed in him by Riley’s family, who had shown him kindness and hospitality. The judge also highlighted Rosser’s troubled background, including early childhood abuse and mental health issues, which contributed to his dangerousness.

Rosser, who did not react as he was sentenced, was flanked by five security guards and sat with his head bowed in the dock. The family of Riley Turner responded to the verdict with relief and sorrow, with Riley’s parents and relatives expressing that no sentence could truly compensate for the loss of their beloved son. They stated, “While justice has now been done, no sentence will ever be enough for what we are going through and what that man has done to our family. It will not bring our little man back. Riley was always so happy and bubbly, caring and lovely. His twin brother misses him so much. We will never come to terms with what has happened and will always feel hurt at the way Riley was so cruelly and suddenly taken from us.”

The case has left a lasting scar on the community of Keighley, with many residents expressing their horror and grief over the tragic loss of such a young life. The court’s decision to impose a life sentence reflects the severity of the crime and the need for justice in the face of such a brutal act of violence.