Sarah Henshaw: 'Monster' who killed ex-partner and dumped body jailed

A man who murdered his ex-girlfriend during an argument and dumped her body in a lay-by near the M1 motorway has been jailed for a minimum of 17 years.

Darren Hall killed 31-year-old Sarah Henshaw at her home in Norman Street, Ilkeston, Derbyshire.

Ms Henshaw's body was found six days after she went missing on 20 June.

Her grieving mum, Lorraine Henshaw, said Hall was a "monster" who disposed of her daughter's body like a "piece of rubbish".

At Derby Crown Court, Hall, 36, was jailed for life after he was found guilty of murder on Friday.

Hall drove her body 20 miles before dumping it in woodland near the lay-by on the westbound A617 near Chesterfield.

A two-week trial heard there was bruising on Ms Henshaw's neck which was "about the width of a dressing gown cord".

Sentencing Hall on Tuesday, Mr Justice Goss said Sarah Henshaw "was a loud, outgoing and fun-loving person with an infectious laugh".

He added: "The harm you have done and the suffering you have caused can never be undone by any sentence of this court."

Prosecutor Michelle Heeley KC said Hall told a "series of lies" against a "background of domestic abuse".

Defence KC Andrew Vout submitted Hall "deeply regretted and was very sorry for" dumping Ms Henshaw's body, describing the defendant's actions as "plainly very wrong".

Mr Justice Goss said Hall, of Rodney Way, Ilkeston, had "maintained the fiction" that he had not hurt Ms Henshaw.

He said: "Having heard all the evidence, I am satisfied that there were earlier occasions in your relationship where you were violent to Sarah Henshaw and bruised her.

"Whatever arose that caused you to be violent in the bedroom, you attacked her and, although it could not be established by pathological evidence, you almost certainly strangled her."