Evil lovers who kissed and laughed after savagely murdering a pensioner they described as “like a father” have been jailed for life today.
Paul Wakefield, 66 - who was said to have been "killed by his kind heart" - was found with serious injuries at his home on January 2, but tragically died in hospital the following day.
Today, his murderers Kayleigh Halliday, 36, and Shane Myles, 32 were sentenced to life at Maidstone Crown Court, Kent.
The mum-of-six was told she will have to serve a minimum term of 21 years and three months, before she can apply for parole.
Meanwhile, Myles was told he must serve 22 years, less 232 days spent on remand, before he can also apply for parole.
A jury heard how the victim was brutally punched, kicked, beat and stabbed in the chest with a broken vodka bottle by the couple over a row at the pensioner's flat about a fallen TV.
After beating the him senseless, the jury was told how Halliday used the heel of a pair of boots, bought to her by the generous pensioner, to stamp on his head with.
The monstrous pair then left an unconscious Mr Wakefield to die as they fled.
Shockingly, moments after the wicked act the couple were captured on CCTV kissing, holding hands and laughing.
Mr Wakefield's phone, wallet and bank card were stolen, as the pair talked about running away to Blackpool before they were arrested a few hours later, the prosecution said.
Earlier this month, the vile couple stood trial for the OAP's murder.
Halliday, who has previous convictions for violence, dramatically pleading guilty at the close of the prosecution case.
The court heard Myles has 34 previous convictions for 77 offences, including battery, assault, burglary and arson.
Sentencing the pair today, Judge Philip Statman said the lovers had shown absolutely "no mercy" to their victim.
He told them: "Mr Wakefield was subjected to a grave attack by both of you acting together".
He added: "He was a character in his own community. He was gregarious, he enjoyed life, he had a caring and loving family."
The judge then continued to say: "You murdered him in his own home where he should have felt safe and secure.
"This was a brutal attack where no mercy was shown to him by either of you."
Judge Statman added that the pair's "cavorting" following the brutal murder demonstrated they had "neither a care in the world".
He continued to say that after fleeing the scene, they were seen on CCTV "kissing and holding hands", and with Myles caressing Halliday and laughing.
Moreover, selfies shared on the Snapchat photo sharing app showed - what was described in court - the two "cosying up and posing for a romantic picture".
Prosecutor Simon Taylor QC said: "There was no regret, no arguments, no contrition. Just kissing, holding hands, caressing and laughing.
"They were in raptures with each other."
The jury today also heard how Halliday, who cried in the dock, covered her tracks by disposing of her bloodstained jumper and trying to ask a friend to provide a false alibi.
Prior to the attack, Myles and Halliday regularly socialised with Mr Wakefield and he would refer to the pair as his son and daughter.
The court heard they had known him for at least six years, but took great advantage of his generosity - despite him being in poor health.
During the time of the murder, Halliday was staying with the 66-year-old after having split from Myles.
However, it was heard that he joined them at the flat and they spent the afternoon drinking.
Following an argument over a fallen TV, Mr Wakefield's battered body was found by a friend shortly before 9pm in his one-bedroomed home.
The scene was described to the 999 operator as "looking like World War Three".
The pensioner was laying on his back, with his head half under the sofa in a pool of blood and with his jumper pulled up.
He suffered two stab wounds to his stomach, five rib fractures and "catastrophic" injuries to his head which exposed his skull and caused a severe brain bleed.
One of Mr Wakefield's nine siblings told the court that his brother's murderers "bit the hand of kindness".
Reading his moving impact statement, Shane Wakefield said: "Paul was cruelly taken from us in the most savage way at the hands of those he cared for.
"He was kind to his killers in ways that people would be amazed at, giving them chance after chance which ultimately backfired."
He added that his brother was a "well-known figure" in his hometown, who had "time for anyone".
