Key Points

• Scott Silkstone, 51, was convicted of murdering his friend Dwayne Tuohey, 55, in a tower-block flat in Burmantofts on New Year’s Day before dumping his body outside.
• Silkstone used extreme violence, including weapons such as a prosthetic leg, crutch and metal box, and will be sentenced on 7 September at Leeds Crown Court.
• The round-up of “10 wicked criminals” includes Silkstone alongside others jailed for drug offences, violent assaults and sexual crimes.
• Other recent Leeds Crown Court cases this year have included gang drug supply, rape, manslaughter and sexual offending against children, illustrating a busy sentencing calendar.
• All sentences were handed down at Leeds Crown Court following investigations by West Yorkshire Police and, in some cases, the National Crime Agency.

Leeds (The Leeds Times) August 3, 2026 – Scott Silkstone, 51, was found guilty of murdering his friend, 55-year-old Dwayne Tuohey, at Tuohey’s flat in Gargrave Court, Burmantofts, during the early hours of New Year’s Day.

The jury unanimously convicted Silkstone after hearing he subjected Tuohey to a sustained and violent attack before dragging his partially undressed body outside and leaving it near bins.

The court heard that multiple objects, including a prosthetic leg, a crutch and a metal box, were used during the assault.

Judge Howard Crowson remanded Silkstone in custody and confirmed he will receive the mandatory life sentence when he returns to Leeds Crown Court for sentencing on 7 September. The minimum term he must serve before becoming eligible for parole will be decided at that hearing.

What other serious crimes featured in the latest Leeds Crown Court round-up?

The latest court round-up highlights offenders convicted of drug trafficking, violent assaults and sexual offences alongside the murder conviction.

Recent Leeds Crown Court cases have included:

• Members of a family-run drugs gang convicted of supplying Class A and Class B drugs.
• A man convicted of rape and murder following a violent attack.
• Offenders sentenced for historic sexual abuse involving children and vulnerable victims.
• Individuals jailed for serious assaults and other violent offences.

The cases reflect the wide range of serious criminal matters regularly dealt with by Leeds Crown Court.

Which drug gangs and dealers have recently been jailed?

Recent sentencing hearings have included members of organised drug supply networks operating across West Yorkshire.

Among those convicted were members of a family-run gang involved in distributing Class A and Class B drugs, with prison sentences ranging from several years to eight years.

Separate organised crime cases have also resulted in lengthy prison terms for offenders involved in the production and supply of amphetamine across northern England following major investigations.

What sexual offences and violent crimes have recently been sentenced?

Leeds Crown Court has dealt with numerous high-profile sexual and violent crime cases during recent months.

These have included rape convictions, manslaughter cases and historic child sexual abuse prosecutions, with sentences reflecting the seriousness of the offences.

Several offenders received lengthy custodial terms, while others were made subject to extended licence periods because of the ongoing risk they pose to the public.

How are Leeds Crown Court sentencing trends being reported?

Court round-ups regularly summarise significant criminal cases heard at Leeds Crown Court, bringing together convictions for murder, drug trafficking, sexual offences, violent assaults and organised crime.

These reports typically include details of the offenders, the offences committed and the prison sentences imposed following investigations by West Yorkshire Police and other law enforcement agencies.

What do police and prosecutors say about these cases?

Investigators have emphasised the importance of bringing dangerous offenders before the courts through detailed police investigations and successful prosecutions.

In organised crime cases, officers have highlighted the harm caused by drug trafficking to local communities, while prosecutors in murder and sexual offence trials have stressed the seriousness of the offences and the impact on victims and their families.

What happens next in the tower-block murder case?

Scott Silkstone will return to Leeds Crown Court on 7 September for sentencing.

At that hearing, the judge will impose the mandatory life sentence required for murder and determine the minimum period Silkstone must serve before he can be considered for parole.

Background: Serious crime cases at Leeds Crown Court

Leeds Crown Court is one of the busiest criminal courts in northern England, hearing a wide range of serious cases from across West Yorkshire and beyond.

Its caseload regularly includes murder, organised drug trafficking, rape, child sexual abuse, serious violence and large-scale fraud. Many investigations involve lengthy police operations and, in organised crime cases, cooperation between West Yorkshire Police, the National Crime Agency and the Crown Prosecution Service.

The court’s sentencing decisions reflect the severity of offences committed and are intended to protect the public while holding offenders accountable.

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Prediction: What these cases mean for policing and public safety

The latest convictions demonstrate the continued focus by law enforcement agencies on tackling serious violence, organised crime and sexual offending across West Yorkshire.

Lengthy prison sentences remove dangerous offenders from communities while reinforcing the role of coordinated investigations between police, prosecutors and specialist agencies.

For residents, these cases underline the ongoing efforts of the criminal justice system to address offences ranging from homicide and drug trafficking to sexual abuse, while future prosecutions are expected to continue targeting organised criminal networks and repeat violent offenders.