Three jailed for murder of West London woman

Three people - Ashana Studholme, Shaun Pendlebury and Lisa Richardson have each been jailed at the Old Bailey for life with a minimum term of 34 years for the murder of Shakira Spencer.

Shakira Spencer was "continually humiliated, degraded and dehumanised" in the run up to her murder, a judge has said.

Judge Angela Rafferty KC said: "Images of Shakira before she fell under your influence show her full of life, healthy and smiling - she is unrecognisable at the end, emaciated and broken.

"All who watched it will be slow to forget the CCTV footage of her trying to walk on scalded feet in the middle of the night.

"You, Pendlebury, lived in her flat whilst she slept in a bike shed; you, Studholme, started as a friend but ended as the worst kind of enemy a person could have; you, Richardson, showed Shakira nothing but exceptional contempt and aggression.

"Leading up to her murder she was routinely and continually humiliated, degraded and dehumanised. She was loveable, soft and trusting, easy to take advantage of, and she needed a lot of help and support.

"Her friend said that a calculated person would easily be able to exploit Shakira - she was no match for the three of you."

In a witness statement read to the Old Bailey, Merjia Spencer said: "Shakira was loved by the whole family. I would describe Shakira as a caring and sweet natured person.

"Shakira loved kids - she worked in a nursery when she first left school and I always joked that would put her off having her own but it didn't, she was really happy when she became a mum.

"She was quiet and shy but would come out of her shell a bit when she was surrounded by loved ones - she deeply cared about people and loved having friends to spend time with.

"She always wanted to be liked, which made her keen to please people, and thoughtful - however, this trait also made her vulnerable.

"The defendants have, over many months, taken away everything that Shakira loved.

"She was isolated from her family and friends, her health deteriorated and she was almost unrecognisable. The defendants were not content with the complete destruction of Shakira's life: when she was at her lowest the defendants have tortured and murdered her like a pack of animals".

Following the sentencing, Senior Crown Prosecutor Devi Kharran said: "Evidence presented during the trial proved that Pendlebury, Studholme and Richardson exercised twisted and sadistic control of Shakira Spencer over an extended period.

"They spun a web of lies in every effort to hide their actions.

"The CPS built a strong case against them using video footage filmed by the defendants themselves, mobile phone evidence, forensic analysis, and a confession from Shaun Pendlebury himself to prove beyond doubt that they were responsible for her death.

"The level of suffering that Shakira endured is simply unimaginable.

"Our thoughts remain with all of Shakira's family and friends. I hope this conviction brings them some sense of justice."

Two women and a man inflicted "an orgy violence" on Shakira Spencer before murdering her, a judge has said.

During sentencing at the Old Bailey on Friday, Judge Angela Rafferty KC said: "None of you took any responsibility and you continue to blame each other to this day - you have no remorse.

"This murder is marked by extreme, calculated and brutal violence and torture.

The judge said it was an "orgy of violence", adding: "I am of no doubt that you all intended to kill Shakira.

"This was a sadistic campaign in which you all took pleasure in inflicting pain and suffering on a vulnerable woman."

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