Woman is jailed for squat murder

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6362149.stm

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A 32-year-old alcoholic has been jailed for life for the murder of her drinking partner who she left to burn in the south Belfast squat they shared.

Sarah Jane Delaney was convicted of murdering 34-year-old Billy Shaw at the house in Camden Street in March 2002.

During her two-week trial, Belfast Crown Court heard that after battering Mr Shaw unconscious, she set fire to the squat to destroy evidence.

Delaney will be told later the minimum term she will have to serve.

The court heard that when the remains of Mr Shaw were examined it was found that he had more than 60 cuts to his face and nose as well as multiple fractures to his head and face.

Delaney initially told police Mr Shaw had come into the squat with "his head all bloody" and that she had tried to help him before they fell asleep.

However, she later said that they got involved "in a stupid argument that got out of hand" and that she attacked Mr Shaw because "it was either him or me that day".

Testifying to the court, Delaney said she had grabbed a spanner which she claimed Mr Shaw had thrown at her and "just hit him and hit him".

The 32-year-old had to be extradited from the Republic of Ireland after going on the run when granted bail after being charged with killing Mr Shaw.

It took the jury five hours to convict her on a majority verdict. She was also found guilty of setting fire to the squat.