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Stalker in bolt gun murder jailed Stalker in bolt gun murder jailed
(20 minutes later)
A "delusional" killer has been jailed for life for murdering a mother with a bolt gun, hours after she had phoned police expressing fears about him.A "delusional" killer has been jailed for life for murdering a mother with a bolt gun, hours after she had phoned police expressing fears about him.
Mary Griffiths, 38, of Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, died early on 6 May after the attack, which also left one of her three daughters with minor injuries.Mary Griffiths, 38, of Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, died early on 6 May after the attack, which also left one of her three daughters with minor injuries.
John McFarlane, 40, had earlier admitted murder and was given a 20-year minimum term at the Old Bailey. John McFarlane, 40, who had admitted murder, was told by the Old Bailey judge he would serve at least 20 years.
He had stalked his victim after she rejected his advances, the court heard.He had stalked his victim after she rejected his advances, the court heard.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which is investigating the case, said after the sentencing: "This deeply shocking murder demands answers and we are working hard to provide them to Mary's family."The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which is investigating the case, said after the sentencing: "This deeply shocking murder demands answers and we are working hard to provide them to Mary's family."
Rejected advancesRejected advances
Sentencing, Mr Justice Bean told McFarlane: "Three generations of Mary Griffiths's family have suffered a tragic and devastating loss.Sentencing, Mr Justice Bean told McFarlane: "Three generations of Mary Griffiths's family have suffered a tragic and devastating loss.
"Her children have been deprived of a loving and caring mother. "Her children have been deprived of a loving and caring mother."
"Her parents have had to endure the appalling experience of attending the funeral of their own daughter." Outside court, the victim's sister Louise Scannell, flanked by family members, wept as she described her as a "beloved angel" and McFarlane as the "devil incarnate".
Ms Griffiths had called police just hours earlier to voice fears that McFarlane was stalking her after she rejected his advances.
Mary Griffiths was shot in front of her daughtersMary Griffiths was shot in front of her daughters
"Mary was the most beautiful person I have ever known," she said.
Ms Griffiths had called police just hours earlier to voice fears that McFarlane was stalking her after she rejected his advances.
McFarlane, who worked as a slaughterman at the Denham estate nearby, took revenge after the fitness instructor posted a Facebook message saying he was "delusional" if he thought they would ever have a relationship.McFarlane, who worked as a slaughterman at the Denham estate nearby, took revenge after the fitness instructor posted a Facebook message saying he was "delusional" if he thought they would ever have a relationship.
In May last year he smashed through the back door of her home with an axe as she and her three daughters slept.In May last year he smashed through the back door of her home with an axe as she and her three daughters slept.
He shut down the house lights before charging up the stairs and, just as she turned on the bedroom lamp, burst in.He shut down the house lights before charging up the stairs and, just as she turned on the bedroom lamp, burst in.
McFarlane dragged Ms Griffiths from the room, where she had been sleeping with her 10-year-old daughter, and beat her.McFarlane dragged Ms Griffiths from the room, where she had been sleeping with her 10-year-old daughter, and beat her.
The mother screamed for help as she was attacked and managed to get outside where her 13-year-old girl shouted "don't do it, stop it," as McFarlane shot her. Louise Ryan, Mary's sister: John McFarlane is "the devil incarnate"
Mental health inquiry The mother screamed for help as she was attacked and managed to get outside where her 13-year-old girl shouted "don't do it, stop it" as McFarlane shot her.
She was shot twice in the chest and once in the left shoulder with a bolt gun normally used for stunning livestock.She was shot twice in the chest and once in the left shoulder with a bolt gun normally used for stunning livestock.
The killer was found later lying in a back garden having cut his arms in an apparent suicide attempt.The killer was found later lying in a back garden having cut his arms in an apparent suicide attempt.
Following the plea he again tried to take his own life and remains on 24-hour suicide watch, the court was told.Following the plea he again tried to take his own life and remains on 24-hour suicide watch, the court was told.
In May the BBC revealed that Ms Griffith's killer had been considered for sectioning by West Suffolk Hospital prior to the murder.In May the BBC revealed that Ms Griffith's killer had been considered for sectioning by West Suffolk Hospital prior to the murder.
The Suffolk Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust is also investigating the case.The Suffolk Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust is also investigating the case.
This week a spokesman said the trust had now been given permission by police to talk to staff about any contact with McFarlane prior to the death.This week a spokesman said the trust had now been given permission by police to talk to staff about any contact with McFarlane prior to the death.