19/04/2007

Massage parlour killer jailed for life

A gambler who admitted murdering two women in a massage parlour in an attempt to steal money to help pay off some debts has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

Garry Harding, 22, from Welshpool, Powys, pleaded guilty to the murders of Annie Eels, 55, and Samantha Tapper, 24, in Shrewsbury last July, when he appeared at Birmingham Crown Court for the first day of his trial.

He had previously denied murder.

Harding was known to have previously used prostitutes at the parlour, called Rachael's Health Studio.

Miss Eels, a receptionist, and Miss Tapper, a prostitute, were alone in the massage parlour when Harding visited the premises on July 1 last year.

Their bodies were discovered in the early hours of July 2 by a group of men on a night out. They had both suffered severe head injuries.

The court heard how Harding, who was unemployed, was a gambler with debts of £16,000.

Police said that Harding had planned the killing, using the internet to search for details on how to commit murder.

He had hoped to steal £2,000 from the parlour, but only escaped with a little over £300.

(KMcA/JM)


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