Jennifer Hume murder: Stewart Dale found guilty

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-20631373

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A man who murdered a grandmother at a residential caravan park in Oxfordshire has been jailed for life.

Stewart Dale, of Prospect Park, Horspath, was found guilty at Guildford Crown Court of the murder of 55-year-old Jennifer Hume.

Post-mortem examinations showed Ms Hume, who was killed on 18 May, died from a blunt trauma head injury and suffered stab wounds.

Dale, 28, was ordered to serve a minimum of 30 years.

The court had heard how Dale invited Ms Hume back to his caravan in Horspath after they had been drinking.

Dale had claimed the pair intended to have sex, but he was too drunk. He said Ms Hume had grabbed him and he had wanted to "regain some control".

'Chilling detail'

Jurors heard details of the attack which followed, in which Ms Hume was beaten and stabbed. When her body was found, she was indentified using her fingerprints.

Dale told police he had "been taken by an urge he couldn't explain".

In a statement issued through Thames Valley Police, family members said it had been the "right verdict".

"Jenny was taken too soon. Her family will miss her and always love her," they said.

Det Ch Insp Joe Kidman said after the case that Dale had shown "extraordinary detachment" in giving evidence in court.

"It was very disturbing for anyone who heard it - he described that very, very brutal attack in chilling detail."

Passing sentence, Judge Christopher Critchlow told Dale he had showed "wholly inappropriate brutality".