Violent Sheffield killer must serve at least 21 years for murder of '˜gentle' man

A vicious killer who murdered a '˜gentle and kind' Sheffield man in his own home has been jailed for a minimum of 21 years.
Paul Cain has received a life sentence for murderPaul Cain has received a life sentence for murder
Paul Cain has received a life sentence for murder

Paul Cain, aged 24, of no fixed address, inflicted a ‘sustained, brutal and vicious’ attack on Wincobank man, Cy Cooper, which included multiple kicks and stamps, before cutting his neck with a sharp object.

The judge Mr Justice Michael Soole told Sheffield Crown Court 44-year-old Mr Cooper was ‘entirely innocent and defenceless’.

Cy CooperCy Cooper
Cy Cooper
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The killer has previously been convicted of three counts of actual bodily harm and three counts of common assault, including battery.

Cain spent time in prison for the violent offences in 2011 and 2012.

The court was also told Cain had spent time in custody for burglary and had a conviction for shoplifting.

On the night of July 28, Cain said he was going round to Mr Cooper’s flat to ask if he would let his nephew and his dogs move back in with him.

Cy CooperCy Cooper
Cy Cooper
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Mr Cooper’s nephew Duane Cook had recently moved into a property where Cain was living.

Cain, in his defence, claimed in court Mr Cook had killed his uncle.

Jailing Cain for life with a minimum term of 21 years, Mr Justice Soole told him: “Having entered Mr Cooper’s home, for reasons which only you know, you launched on him a sustained brutal and vicious assault which resulted in his death.

“In the course of the attack you also used a knife or some other sharp instrument to inflict severe injuries to his head and neck.

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“In particular, and at the point when he was close to death, you used such an instrument to inflict a deep cut to his neck of some 10 centimetre in length.

“From all the evidence of the ferocity of the attack and in particular your use of the knife or sharp instrument I am sure that your intention was not only to cause Mr Cooper grievous bodily harm but was to kill him.”

Cain then returned to his aunt’s house and washed his hands of blood and put his blood-stained clothes in the sink and washing machine.

He then went out again and started a fire inside Mr Cooper’s flat to try to destroy his body and any evidence.

Cain then rang 999 and ‘took on the role of a rescuer’ but was later arrested.

The court heard Cain, who has ADHD with symptoms of ‘impulsivity’, has a history of ‘sudden outbursts of temper’.

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