2011: GEMMA HAYTER MURDER: THREE JAILED FOR LIFE - BBC NEWS
Three individuals received life sentences after being convicted of the murder of Gemma Hayter, a woman with learning disabilities, in Warwickshire.Gemma, aged 27, was beaten and forced to drink urine before her body was found by a jogger along a disused railway track in Rugby on August 9, 2010.
Daniel Newstead, Chantelle Franklyn Booth, and Joe Boyer, all residents of Little Pennington Street, were found guilty of her murder and sentenced accordingly.
Lady Justice Rafferty at the Old Bailey described the killing as a "vile" act.
The court mandated that Booth serve a minimum of 21 years, Newstead at least 20 years, and Boyer at least 16 years.
Two other individuals, Jessica Lynas of Little Pennington Street and Duncan Edwards of Ashwood Court, received sentences of 13 and 15 years after their convictions for manslaughter.
During the sentencing, Sue Prince, Gemma’s mother, expressed her complex feelings, stating she felt pity for her daughter’s killers.
She noted her lifelong efforts to ensure Gemma was diagnosed and cared for as she reached adulthood.
Lady Justice Rafferty condemned the murder and torture as "heartless" and described the crime as a "chronicle of heartlessness." She recounted disturbing details, including Edwards and Boyer urinating into a lager can which they forced Gemma to drink, and how her calls for help were ignored while she was locked in a bathroom, with her mobile removed to prevent her from seeking aid.
The judge emphasized how low the perpetrators had sunk, describing how Gemma was left dead in a location where she had been dragged.
Rafferty also criticized Booth as a "nasty piece of work," highlighting her close relationship with Gemma and her callous treatment of her over the years, likening her to a toy used to fill her own emptiness.
Overall, the court highlighted the brutality and cruelty of this case, reflecting on the tragic loss of Gemma Hayter’s life.
