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20/01/2003
Life term given for OAP murderer
A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of a pensioner more than 21 years ago.
With the aid of DNA checks and testing Steven Shepherd, 47, from Portstewart, Co Londonderry, was told today that he was to serve a minimum of 14 years for the murder of 82-year-old spinster Vera Waring.
The elderly pensioner, who had been the organist at Dunluce Church of Ireland Parish Church for 25 years, was found at her Bushmills' home in the early hours of 1 January 1982.
It is believed she had suffered a heart attack after being subjected to a brutal sexual assault.
Sentencing Mr Shepherd at Antrim Crown Court Mr Justice Gillen said: "This was a depraved and heartless attack on a vulnerable and elderly lady alone and defenceless within the sanctity of her own home."
It was only after a tiny speck of blood and a pubic hair found at the scene were re-examined using new DNA tests that the computer technician was caught.
Last November, a jury unanimously found Mr Shepherd of Castleton Park, Portstewart, guilty of killing Ms Waring.
Ms Waring’s body was found after she failed to attend a midnight service at the church on New Year's Eve in 1981. The next day the local rector went to her house and made the grim discovery.
(AMcE)
With the aid of DNA checks and testing Steven Shepherd, 47, from Portstewart, Co Londonderry, was told today that he was to serve a minimum of 14 years for the murder of 82-year-old spinster Vera Waring.
The elderly pensioner, who had been the organist at Dunluce Church of Ireland Parish Church for 25 years, was found at her Bushmills' home in the early hours of 1 January 1982.
It is believed she had suffered a heart attack after being subjected to a brutal sexual assault.
Sentencing Mr Shepherd at Antrim Crown Court Mr Justice Gillen said: "This was a depraved and heartless attack on a vulnerable and elderly lady alone and defenceless within the sanctity of her own home."
It was only after a tiny speck of blood and a pubic hair found at the scene were re-examined using new DNA tests that the computer technician was caught.
Last November, a jury unanimously found Mr Shepherd of Castleton Park, Portstewart, guilty of killing Ms Waring.
Ms Waring’s body was found after she failed to attend a midnight service at the church on New Year's Eve in 1981. The next day the local rector went to her house and made the grim discovery.
(AMcE)
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