Newlyweds jailed for killing man

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A newlywed couple who killed a man the morning after their wedding have been jailed for manslaughter.

Wendy Shobrook and Barry Johnson, both 40, of Plymouth, had denied murder but were found guilty earlier this year of George Auchterlonie's manslaughter.

Shobrook had had a relationship with the victim and spent her wedding night with him after a row with her new husband following a drinking binge.

At Plymouth Crown Court, Johnson got 12 years in jail and Shobrook five.

On the day of the register office ceremony, 9 June 2008, Shobrook had a row with Johnson and went to see Mr Auchterlonie, the jury heard.

Your relationship was chaotic, the wedding day was quite clearly a disaster Judge Francis Gilbert QC

She returned for the reception party at the Waterfront restaurant in Plymouth, but then argued with her husband again.

Later on their wedding night she set fire to him after they had gone to bed, saying "burn in hell", and fled to spend the night with father-of-four Mr Auchterlonie.

In the morning she rang Johnson and told him Mr Auchterlonie had tried to rape her.

He was so angry he launched an attack which left the victim with 38 different injuries, the court was told.

They then fled together, leaving Mr Auchterlonie dying in a pool of blood. He was found by a neighbour three days later.

Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, told them: "Your relationship was chaotic, the wedding day was quite clearly a disaster."