Hunted to Death: The horrific murder of Terry Lee Hurst, and the song it inspired.
The story contains graphic details of violent torture discretion is advised.
On 19 July 2004, three teenagers decide to go on a camping trip.
15-year-old Rebecca Peeters, 17-year-old James Swindon, and Jermaine James also 17.Also invited was 17-year-old Terry Lee Hurst
Terry Lee Hurst was born and raised in Sheffield, where he had lived with a foster family attending Sheffield College, before moving to an accommodation for young people in Peniston. He was diagnosed with autism, along with a speech impediment, and at the time had a mental age of 13, which frequently made him a target of bullying. Despite that, he was an outgoing, vibrant young man, heavily involved with the local church and always ready to lend a hand. Everyone knew him as a good Samaritan.
Rebecca Peeters and John Sawdon had both been born and raised in Sheffield and also attended Sheffield College.
Both were known to the police. John had been previously convicted of petty theft, and Rebecca was a heavy drinker known for her belligerent, unruly behavior when drunk. They often hung out with another local boy Jermaine James, who was known as a troubled youth. All four knew each other socially.
Terry loved the outdoors, especially camping, so when Rebecca invited him to join her and her friends on a camping trip he happily accepted, eager to become their friend.
The quartet set out from the village of Bolsterstone to the Broomhead Reservoir where they set up camp. Later that evening, the trio went back to Bolsterston leaving Terry sleeping in his tent.
They first went to John’s house and drank alcohol then decided to head back to the campsite. On their return journey, they passed the graveyard of St Mary’s Church where they broke into the garden shed and stole two agricultural scythes. Terry was asleep when they reached the campsite wearing only his shorts. For reasons unknown, they dragged him out by his ankles and began beating, stamping, and kicking him. They would occasionally pause, to let him get up and try to escape before chasing him and resuming the attack. A bag was placed over his head and his face was stamped on. The scythe was used to slash and stab him repeatedly. He suffered more than eighty injuries to his body, his jaw was smashed and hung open, his hands shredded trying to defend himself from the scythe, his teeth had been knocked into his throat and finally, Rebecca embedded the scythe into his skull killing him, and ending the savage attack.
They dumped his body in a ditch and then went to Rebbeca’s house to eat bacon sandwiches made by her mum laughing, and having a good time.
The body was discovered by a farmer the next day. Shocked detectives described his injuries as the worst they had ever seen.
The trio were instant suspects and were immediately arrested.
At their trial, they couldn’t give any reason for the brutal attack. It was speculated that they had argued with Terry earlier that evening, some think John, who was the mastermind of the attack, hated Terry because the latter had previously dated John’s current girlfriend. Neither of these reasons justified their attack though.
in January 2005 all three pled guilty to murder and were sentenced to life. Unfortunately, life didn’t mean life. Jason Sawdon will be eligible for parole after 15 years, Rebecca Peeters, and Jermaine James after 13 years.
The song “Don’t Go” by the band Bring Me The Horizon, is based on the murder. It was rumored the lead singer Oli Sykes is John Swindon’s cousin.
The film Cruel Summer is also based on the murder.
