A man who fled abroad after the mistaken shooting of a Sheffield dad, and his girlfriend, who helped him escape, have both been locked up.
Kevin Pokuta Killed in Case of Mistaken Identity
Kevin Pokuta, just 19 at the time, was fatally shot on Page Hall Road on 12 December 2023. Five people had already been convicted for their roles in the crime, following a major police investigation.
Detectives Crack the Case With CCTV Evidence
After sifting through thousands of hours of CCTV, detectives nailed Ethan Hallows as involved. Hallows was part of a gang that tried to commit a robbery earlier that night but failed.
- Cameras caught Hallows driving a car circling Page Hall Road, hunting for those who stopped the robbery.
- The car passed Kevin and his younger brother, who were parked nearby.
- Footage showed Hallows instructing Jake Brown to fire the fatal shot. Brown was already convicted in December 2024.
Fugitive Couple’s Failed Escape Plan
Knowing he was caught, Hallows fled the UK with the help of his girlfriend, Paris Askew. Police uncovered disturbing texts between the pair plotting a new life abroad and researching “which countries extradite back to the UK,” “Interpol wanted notices,” and “how to get visas.”
Askew was arrested on 4 January 2024, returning from Dubai. Hallows eventually gave himself up on 2 May 2025 when he returned to the UK and was detained at the airport.
Justice Served at Sheffield Crown Court
Both denied their charges but were convicted by a jury on 19 December 2025 after a two-week trial. They appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on 23 January.
Hallows, 25, was handed life imprisonment with a minimum of 33 years for murder, conspiracy to rob, firearm offences, and attempted grievous bodily harm. Askew, 23, received three years for assisting an offender.
The brutal murder of Kevin Pokuta has closed a dark chapter for Sheffield’s community.
