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Man convicted of Inverness murder Man convicted of Inverness murder
(about 5 hours later)
A man has been jailed for life for the murder of a hairdresser who was found buried in his garden in Inverness after being battered to death.A man has been jailed for life for the murder of a hairdresser who was found buried in his garden in Inverness after being battered to death.
Judge Lord Clarke told Brian Grant, 50, he should spend at least 14 years in prison for murdering Ilene O'Connor.Judge Lord Clarke told Brian Grant, 50, he should spend at least 14 years in prison for murdering Ilene O'Connor.
The High Court in Edinburgh heard the 39-year-old had suffered brain damage and 26 rib fractures in the attack.The High Court in Edinburgh heard the 39-year-old had suffered brain damage and 26 rib fractures in the attack.
The jury took 90 minutes to unanimously find Grant guilty of Ms O'Connor's murder last July.The jury took 90 minutes to unanimously find Grant guilty of Ms O'Connor's murder last July.
Grant had denied killing Ms O'Connor and burying her.Grant had denied killing Ms O'Connor and burying her.
Medics said they thought she might have lain in a coma for up to two hours before Grant finally ended her life by strangling her.Medics said they thought she might have lain in a coma for up to two hours before Grant finally ended her life by strangling her.
'Wicked attack' The jury heard Ilene had sustained extreme injuries
He buried his victim and removed her rings from her fingers to try and avoid detection, as well as cleaning up his home at Kintail Court.He buried his victim and removed her rings from her fingers to try and avoid detection, as well as cleaning up his home at Kintail Court.
Lord Clarke told him: "The murder you have been convicted of involved a particularly savage, brutal and repeated attack on a defenceless and vulnerable woman.Lord Clarke told him: "The murder you have been convicted of involved a particularly savage, brutal and repeated attack on a defenceless and vulnerable woman.
"It was truly a wicked attack and you have shown little or no remorse throughout and, indeed, attempted to implicate an innocent man in your crime.""It was truly a wicked attack and you have shown little or no remorse throughout and, indeed, attempted to implicate an innocent man in your crime."
Ilene O'Connor's body was found buried in Inverness
Lord Clarke said after the two-week trial that Grant should spend at least 14 years in prison before he could apply for parole, calling him "a significant danger to the public."Lord Clarke said after the two-week trial that Grant should spend at least 14 years in prison before he could apply for parole, calling him "a significant danger to the public."
Ilene O'Connor's body was found buried in Inverness
Northern Constabulary welcomed the life sentence.Northern Constabulary welcomed the life sentence.
The officer who led the inquiry, Det Insp Ian Smith, said: "Had it not been for the thorough nature of the work carried out by officers then Ilene's body may never have been found.The officer who led the inquiry, Det Insp Ian Smith, said: "Had it not been for the thorough nature of the work carried out by officers then Ilene's body may never have been found.
"The injuries she sustained, which resulted in her death, were severe in the extreme, as were the lengths Grant went to to conceal her body and cover his tracks."The injuries she sustained, which resulted in her death, were severe in the extreme, as were the lengths Grant went to to conceal her body and cover his tracks.
"Our thoughts are obviously with Ilene's family and friends at this difficult time, but I hope they can take some comfort from the fact that the man responsible for her death will now spend much of his life behind bars.""Our thoughts are obviously with Ilene's family and friends at this difficult time, but I hope they can take some comfort from the fact that the man responsible for her death will now spend much of his life behind bars."