Killer gets 15 years for 'chilling' murder

The man who brutally strangled a Black Country drug addict with a boxing strap must spend at least 15 years behind bars for his murder.

Heathcliffe Carl Price, aged 40, of no fixed address, was found guilty of murdering Carl Watson yesterday.

The jury of eight men and four women took just over four hours to return a unanimous verdict at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

Price, who wrapped the strap around his victim's neck three times and knotted it, will be locked up for a minimum of 15 years and on licence for life.

He murdered 23-year-old Mr Watson in an explosion of violence at their hostel in Stepping Stones, Stourbridge, on November 5 last year.

The court heard Price had already completed stretches in prison for robbery and burglary offences dating back to the mid 1980s.

Judge John Warner branded the murder "chilling". He said: "You strangled him to death with a ligature. This was done with a degree of deliberation.

"This was a dreadful way to die. Why you did it only you know.

"You have no record of violence but this was a chilling murder in its execution.

"You are in my opinion a very dangerous man."

He added that he had made allowance for Price's mild learning disability.

One year will be deducted from the minimum 15-year sentence for the time Price has already been remanded in custody.

Detective Inspector Neil Corrigan, of West Midlands Police's Major Investigation Unit, welcomed the verdict.

In a statement outside court he said: "Carl Watson suffered a brutal and needless death at the hands of Heathcliffe Price.

"Carl was only 23-years-old when his life was tragically cut short, robbing his family of new opportunities.

"I hope the verdict gives Carl's family some sense that justice has been done."

Heathcliffe Price was a volunteer gardener at St John the Evangelist Church in Leys Road, Brockmoor.

Vicar's wife Jennifer Nathaniel said Price, who she first met in 2006, would work hard from 5 to 10pm, and would always help her.