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DNA traps 2002 Germany murderer DNA traps 2002 Germany murderer
(about 6 hours later)
A Welshman has been found guilty of murdering a woman with intent to steal from her at her home in Germany after his DNA was taken six years later.A Welshman has been found guilty of murdering a woman with intent to steal from her at her home in Germany after his DNA was taken six years later.
carpenter Philip McNally drowned Helga Pfirsching, 45, at her home in Worms in 2002, and stole gold and jewellery. Carpenter Philip McNally drowned Helga Pfirsching, 45, at her home in Worms in 2002, and stole gold and jewellery.
McNally, 50, was arrested last February after his fingerprints were matched to that of the murder suspect following a row with his wife in Neath.McNally, 50, was arrested last February after his fingerprints were matched to that of the murder suspect following a row with his wife in Neath.
He denied the charges but was found guilty after a trial in Germany.He denied the charges but was found guilty after a trial in Germany.
The court was he told he was caught when South Wales Police took his DNA after the row in south Wales in February.The court was he told he was caught when South Wales Police took his DNA after the row in south Wales in February.
It matched that of the suspect wanted for the rape and murder of Mrs Pfirsching.It matched that of the suspect wanted for the rape and murder of Mrs Pfirsching.
He allegedly stole gold and jewellery after attacking Ms Pfirsching, 45, and killing her.He allegedly stole gold and jewellery after attacking Ms Pfirsching, 45, and killing her.
He broke into the house in 2002 and tied up his victim before raping her and then choking her as she drowned in the bath, the court heard.He broke into the house in 2002 and tied up his victim before raping her and then choking her as she drowned in the bath, the court heard.
Her body was discovered later that day by her 14-year-old daughter.Her body was discovered later that day by her 14-year-old daughter.
Prosecution lawyers say he escaped with a one kilogramme bar of gold worth more than £15,000 along with cash and gold jewellery.Prosecution lawyers say he escaped with a one kilogramme bar of gold worth more than £15,000 along with cash and gold jewellery.
During his trial, police said McNally, who lived in Germany for more than 20 years, had confessed during questioning.During his trial, police said McNally, who lived in Germany for more than 20 years, had confessed during questioning.
But McNally denied involvement in court, and claimed that his wife, who he married in 2004, was used to capture him, following an alleged domestic incident .But McNally denied involvement in court, and claimed that his wife, who he married in 2004, was used to capture him, following an alleged domestic incident .
He had told the court that she falsely accused him of hitting her and police "needed a reason to arrest me".He had told the court that she falsely accused him of hitting her and police "needed a reason to arrest me".
Following questioning, fingerprint checks showed he was wanted in Germany in connection with the death of Ms Pfirsching.Following questioning, fingerprint checks showed he was wanted in Germany in connection with the death of Ms Pfirsching.
The trial was told by a psychiatrist that McNally was a type of criminal who "try to separate the committed crime from their person".The trial was told by a psychiatrist that McNally was a type of criminal who "try to separate the committed crime from their person".