Man jailed over death of Sheffield woman, whose body lay in flat for nearly a week
A man has been jailed following the death of a woman in Sheffield in February 2023
Last updated 2nd Nov 2023
A man has been jailed for more than 25 years for murdering his flatmate in Sheffield, and leaving her body in a flat for nearly a week.
Sarah Brierley, 49, was found wrapped in a duvet on her sofa with "significant head injuries" in February 2023.
David Scott, 39, from Woodhouse was arrested a short time later, and has been sentenced to a total of 29 years in prison at Sheffield Crown Court.
His partner, Zoe Clark, 38, was found not guilty of murder and manslaughter, but was sentenced to 42 weeks for theft.
During the enquiry, officers found photographs on a phone shared by Scott and Clark showing Sarah's body with a plastic bag over her head.
They also found a love letter written by Scott to Clark, telling her he could do 20 years behind bars, "if I know you're there at the end of it".
A post-mortem examination concluded that Sarah died of her head injuries and a pathologist’s opinion said the injuries ‘were a result of several blows with a heavy object, such as a hammer’.
Detective Chief Inspector Andy Knowles, who led the investigation said: “Sarah died at the hands of someone she trusted enough to live with her.
“The intent of Scott has never come to light, and we do not know why he decided to end an innocent woman’s life.
“I hope today’s verdict and knowing that Scott will spend time behind bars helps bring closure to those who knew Sarah.”