Killer jailed for life for murder of prostitute Lidia Pascale

Matthew Cherrington had denied murdering Romanian-born Miss Pascale, whose body was found dumped in a wheelie bin 100 yards from his home in High Street, West Bromwich.

The 26-year-old was last seen entering Cherrington's home on November 19 last year, Birmingham Crown Court heard.

She had arranged to meet Cherrington via text messages. She had been in the UK for about a year and lived at addresses in Smethwick and Foleshill in Coventry.

The trial which began at the start of May heard how she received up to 11 blows to the head with a heavey weapon. Her body was found at the beginning of December.

The jury began its deliberations yesterday afternoon, and returned a unanimous guilty verdict at 12.40pm.

Passing sentence Mr Melbourne Inman QC, the Recorder of Birmingham, said Cherringon was a very dangerous man, and sentenced him to life with a minimum of 19 years.

He said: "The level of violence in this case makes it abundantly clear that you did intend to kill her.

"This was, in my judgment, an extremely savage killing.

"In her final moments Lidia Pascale must have been aware that she was being beaten in such a manner and with such ferocity that she would not survive."

Emily Lenham, Senior Crown Prosecutor from West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service, said:

"Throughout the prosecution of this case Matthew Cherrington maintained his denial that he had ever met Lidia Pascale. He attempted to evade detection at every step of the police investigation; eventually blaming an associate for Lidia's disappearance. However, the evidence of his involvement in the offence was overwhelming.

"Through analysis of the defendant's mobile phone, it became apparent that on the day of the murder he had been contacting several escorts, including the deceased.

"He arranged for Lidia to attend his flat and it was there, shortly after her arrival, that he viciously attacked her and killed her. Cherrington then disposed of the body and later tried to cover his crime.

"Today, a very dangerous man has been convicted of a brutal and senseless crime. We hope today's verdict can bring some solace to the family and friends of Lidia Pascale."

Detective Inspector Jim Munro, from force CID, said: "Despite Cherrington's extensive lies throughout the investigation, the forensic evidence was able to link him to Lidia's death and the disposal of her body.

"I hope that Lidia's family will find some comfort in today's verdict and the lengthy sentence he has been handed this afternoon."

The wounds would have been 'in double figures, probably in the range of 11 to the head causing catastrophic injury to her skull and brain'.

"I am satisfied that you are a very dangerous man who quite clearly is capable of extreme, unprovoked violence.

"When or if it is safe for you to be released will be determined in the future."

He said there was no remorse from Cherrington and that the evidence had been overwhelming.

Her body had been put in a black bin liner and a fingerprint on the liner was identified as Cherrington's. On top of the body was a small carrier bag containing a foil pipe, carrying Cherrington's DNA and a fingerprint on, together with a cigarette end.

He said it seemed in sentencing Cherrington he should take into account that it was a 'prolonged and savage assault'.

Mr Michael Burrows QC, prosecuting, said Miss Pascale was 'of course vulnerable'.

"She was of slight build and by the nature of the work she chose to do she was going alone into the homes of strangers.

"There were repeated blows to the head with what must have been a heavy weapon, which indicates this was an intent to kill rather than an intent to cause serious injury.

"It must have been a prolonged attack, and although mercifully for her death would have followed very swiftly, she was plainly aware of the attack from the injuries to her hands, so there was suffering in her last minutes."

Cherrington sold the victim's phone in a West Bromwich shop before buying a pot of paint with the cash to cover up blood splatters in his flat after efforts to clean up failed.