Derbyshire murderer given life sentence after dumping ex-partner's body near lay-by off M1
Darren Hall attacked Sarah Henshaw at her home in Ilkeston in June.
Last updated 19th Dec 2023
A man who murdered his ex-partner and dumped her body near a lay-by near the M1 has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 17 years.
Darren Hall attacked Sarah Henshaw at her home in Norman Street, Ilkeston, Derbyshire, on the night of June 20 this year.
He then drove her body 20 miles off the westbound A617 near Chesterfield, dumping it in woodland.
The 36 year old carpet fitter then lied to friends and family, saying the 31-year-old had gone missing.
Ms Henshaw's body was not discovered until June 26, during which time Hall disposed of her belongings including her dressing gown and slippers.
The jury took three hours to deliberate, finding Hall guilty of murder, following a two week trial at Derby Crown Court.
The jury heard Ms Henshaw met Hall in 2011 but the pair had a turbulent relationship, and they were separated by the time of her death.
Hall let himself into the property in Norman Street on the day of the murder, despite previously being asked to surrender his key by Ms Henshaw and repeated requests for him to leave during the evening.
In his evidence, he admitted moving Ms Henshaw's body after her death and lying to her friends, family and the police to say she had voluntarily gone missing.
Hall claimed Henshaw fell down the stairs during an argument, and "just panicked", moving her body from the house.
Prosecutor Michelle Heeley KC said that while the Crown could not be certain on the cause of her death, it was "at the hands of this defendant", with bruising on her neck "about the width of a dressing gown cord".
Ms Heeley said Hall took "calculated and controlled" actions to "cover his tracks", including disposing of Ms Henshaw's belongings at a recycling centre and in a skip before his arrest on June 23.