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Neighbour killer given 23 years Family brands murderer 'evil man'
(about 1 hour later)
A man who murdered a 77-year-old pensioner in her home has been sentenced to at least 23 years in prison at Belfast Crown Court. The family of a 77-year-old woman who was murdered in her home has branded her killer as "evil".
Robert George Harvey had pleaded guilty to murdering Tilly Campbell at her home in Barnagh Park, Donaghadee, in 2006. On Friday, Robert George Harvey was sentenced to at least 23 years for the murder of Tilly Campbell in her Donaghadee home in October 2006.
Harvey, who lived next door, broke into her home and attacked her with an axe.Harvey, who lived next door, broke into her home and attacked her with an axe.
Mr Justice Hart warned Harvey that "whether he be released after that time, will be for the Parole Commissioners to decide".Mr Justice Hart warned Harvey that "whether he be released after that time, will be for the Parole Commissioners to decide".
He also said that Harvey had "subjected Tilly Campbell to an exceptionally violent and prolonged assault" and had shown "no mercy". In a statement, read outside Belfast Crown Court by Detective Superintendent Sean Wright, the children of Mrs Campbell said the three years since their mother's death had "been very long and painful for us as a family".
"We have lost a mother and our children have lost their grandmother. As a family, we feel that society needs to be protected against monsters like Robert Harvey - no other family should have to endure what we have gone through."
Det Supt Wright added that Harvey had "yet to show any remorse" for the crime.
In court Mr Justice Hart said that Harvey had "subjected Tilly Campbell to an exceptionally violent and prolonged assault" and had shown "no mercy".
Harvey, who has a criminal record for violence, was looking for cash after spending the last of his money gambling on a poker machine.Harvey, who has a criminal record for violence, was looking for cash after spending the last of his money gambling on a poker machine.
Tilly Campbell's battered body was discovered by fire-fighters. Tilly Campbell's battered body was discovered by firefighters.
The alarm was raised by a resident who saw smoke coming from her house.The alarm was raised by a resident who saw smoke coming from her house.