A man who brutally murdered his elderly neighbour over a petty dispute about a paint brush has been sentenced to life imprisonment.
David Hill, 57, killed Kurt Giwisser, 77, in a fit of rage over the state of a paint brush he had lent to the pensioner. Leeds Crown Court was told that Hill visited his neighbour’s flat in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, in February 2023, and began aggressively knocking on the door, demanding it be opened.
When Mr Giwisser obliged, Hill forced his way into the property and launched a vicious attack on the great-grandfather, repeatedly punching and kicking him.
Despite suffering severe injuries, Mr Giwisser managed to call the emergency services and was taken to hospital for treatment.
Sadly, his health took a turn for the worse in the subsequent weeks and he passed away in April 2023.
David Hill, 57, has been ordered to serve a minimum of 17 years behind bars for the murder.
In a touching tribute, Mr Giwisser’s family described him as a “gentle, caring and proud man” who always looked “immaculate” and had a passion for playing the guitar.
The family statement read: “Since the day he was taken from us, our lives have been filled with grief, fear and emptiness. Family gatherings feel incomplete. There is an empty space where he should be.
“A silence where his laughter and music should fill the room.
“Even moments of happiness feel overshadowed by the fact he is not here to share them with us.
“What happened didn’t only end his life, it shattered ours.
“The trauma of having to decide to end life support, the cruelty of the violence he suffered, and the lifelong grief we must now live with, has changed us forever. There’s no going back to the people we were before.”
Detective Inspector Suzanne Hall, who spearheaded the investigation, stated: “Kurt Giwisser was fit, healthy, and very much enjoying life until all that was taken away in a brutal attack by the violent bully who he was unlucky enough to have as his neighbour.
“It is hard to comprehend how anyone could act so violently towards a man in his late 70s, and especially over what seems to have been a fairly trivial issue.”
She further added: “The impact of Kurt’s loss on his daughters, grandchildren and his friends has been clear to see, and I hope they can take some measure of comfort from seeing him convicted and sentenced by the court today.”
