Sadie Hartley: Pair given life sentences for murder of woman who grew up in Newark

Two women have been jailed for a total of 55 years for the murder of a woman who grew up in Newark.

Sarah Williams and Katrina Walsh were found guilty today following a seven-week trial at Preston Crown Court. They had both denied the murder of Sadie Hartley.

Williams, 35, of Treborth Road, Chester, must serve a minimum of 30 years, while Walsh, 56, of Hare Lane, Chester, must serve a minimum of 25 years.

Sadie Hartley grew up in Newark, with six siblings, before eventually moving to Helmshore, Rossendale, Lancashire.

At about 8pm on January 14 of this year, the 60-year-old answered the door at her house. She was stunned by a cattle prod before being brutally and savagely stabbed to death. In total, she was stabbed 41 times.

The court heard that Williams and Walsh had spent more than 18 months plotting the murder, in order for Williams to win back Ian Johnston. He had been Sadie Hartley's partner since 2005, having split up with Williams following a brief relationship.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Superintendent Paul Withers, from Lancashire Police's major investigation team, said: "This murder was nothing short of the cold-blooded, premeditated and carefully planned assassination of an entirely innocent woman and I welcome today's verdicts.

"While it may have been Sarah Williams who carried out the actual killing of Sadie Hartley, there can be no doubt that Katrina Walsh helped her every step of the way and was up to her neck in the planning of this brutal slaying. They are both as culpable as each other.

"I'd like to pay tribute to Sadie Hartley's family who have conducted themselves with dignity throughout this trial and following the unimaginable horror of what happened to their loved one. I can only hope that today's verdicts offer them a chance to start to move on with the rest of their lives."