Relief as 'horror home’ where tragic teenage boys were murdered by their mum and dad is demolished

Residents have spoken of their relief that a house in Sheffield where two young brothers were murdered by their parents has finally been demolished.
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The property on Gregg House Road, Shiregreen, has been razed to the ground and a memorial garden is to be created in its place.

A large fence has been erected around the site while work is carried out.

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Tristan and Blake Barrass were killed by their parents in May 2019.

Flowers left outside the house in Shiregreen where Blake and Tristan Barrass were killed by their parentsFlowers left outside the house in Shiregreen where Blake and Tristan Barrass were killed by their parents
Flowers left outside the house in Shiregreen where Blake and Tristan Barrass were killed by their parents

The boys, aged 13 and 14 respectively, were drugged, strangled and had bags placed over their heads.

Their incestuous parents, Sarah Barrass and Brandon Machin, who are half brother and sister, were jailed for life and each ordered to serve a minimum of 35 years behind bars after admitting killing their two sons and attempting to murder their other four children.

Their sentences were among the longest ever handed down in Sheffield.

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The killers claimed their actions were in response to fears that their children were at risk of being taken into care and that the plan was for Barrass to take her own life after ending the children’s lives.

A house in Shiregreen where two boys were murdered by their parents has been demolishedA house in Shiregreen where two boys were murdered by their parents has been demolished
A house in Shiregreen where two boys were murdered by their parents has been demolished

The plan was then for Machin to pretend to discover what had happened and raise the alarm.

Sanctuary Housing, which owned the house where the boys were killed, has approval from the boys’ family for the demolition and memorial garden.

A tree will be planted in the garden as a lasting tribute to Tristan and Blake.

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Local resident Nikki Walker said: “The house isn’t far from me and I’m glad to see it gone after what those vile creatures did to them poor lads.”

A house in Shiregreen where two boys were murdered by their parents has been demolishedA house in Shiregreen where two boys were murdered by their parents has been demolished
A house in Shiregreen where two boys were murdered by their parents has been demolished

Lisa Kirk Taylor added: “I live about 10 houses up and every time I pass that house it brings it all back what happened and it’s really upsetting.

“It’s nice what they are doing but no matter what it will never be forgotten what happened there even though the house is gone.”

Carys Dixon added: “This will hopefully be a very lovely memorial garden for not only siblings and family members, but also the community that was rocked by such a horrible tragedy.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.