MAN JAILED FOR WOMAN'S MURDER
A man convicted of rape received a minimum 33-year prison sentence for the murder of a young woman who had recently become his lodger.The incident occurred after Courtney Angus moved into Michael Doherty’s home located in Norfolk Street, Batley.
Doherty, aged 33, was given a life term at Leeds Crown Court following his admission that he strangled Courtney following her rejection of his romantic attempts.
The 21-year-old suffered sexual assault, had various body parts cut off, and sustained 76 injuries during the fatal assault in July the previous year.
After her death, Doherty used his mobile device to take explicit images of her.
He later informed police of her remains while in custody for brandishing a knife and shoplifting the day after the murder.
Historical convictions show Doherty, who changed his name from Michael Moore in 2018, had a pattern of violence against women who rejected him, including a rape of an unfamiliar woman and arson related to a previous relationship.
Court records confirmed Courtney had moved into his house shortly before her death but was not romantically involved and did not want to pursue a relationship.
Prosecutor Craig Hassall told the court that Doherty showed his affection through messages, including a threat to self-harm on the murder day.
Courtney responded via text: “It's not my fault Mikey, I don’t want a relationship, I told you from the start, I haven’t led you on.
I’ve been a good friend to you.” On the night of July 25, the pair were at the residence, with evidence indicating Courtney rejected Doherty’s attempts at intimacy shortly before her death.
The attack involved sexual assault under the influence of drugs, with Doherty dismembering her and leaving body parts on his mantelpiece.
The autopsy revealed her death was due to neck pressure (strangulation) and blunt head trauma.
After taking pictures of Courtney on his phone, Doherty texted a friend: “I’ve killed someone, ring me please.” In the morning, Doherty committed thefts in Batley and Dewsbury.
At 9:15 PM, he was seen leaving an Asda store in Dewsbury without paying, armed with a large knife.
Police located him in Dewsbury town centre, where he threatened officers, claiming: “Get armed response and SIO to me now because I’ve got murder, I’ve got a dead body in my house.” Courtney’s mother, Diane Angus, shared her heartbreak: “Losing my daughter has left a void I cannot fill.
I carry her with me always, and I wish I could hold her again.” A statement from Chloe Angus, representing Courtney’s sisters, described the trauma of seeing her body in the morgue and questioned how someone could harm such a young, vulnerable woman.
“Courtney had her entire life ahead, loved by all around her, and she brought joy into every room she entered.” Doherty’s criminal history includes 23 prior convictions, notably a 2013 rape and previous arson.
He served a five-year sentence and had a short-lived relationship afterward, ending with malicious vehicle destruction.
He pleaded guilty in January to murder, theft, and threats involving a blade.
