A man who murdered his ex-partner during an argument and dumped her body near a motorway layby has been jailed for life with a minimum of 17 years.
Darren Hall, 36, was jailed for killing Sarah Henshaw, 31, and driving her body 20 miles before leaving it in woodland outside Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
The trial heard that Hall attacked Henshaw while they were arguing at her home in Ilkeston on 20 June, and her body was found six days later.
He was found guilty of murder on Friday after a two-week trial at Derby crown court, with evidence suggesting he “almost certainly strangled” Henshaw to death, possibly with a dressing gown cord.
Passing sentence on Tuesday, Mr Justice Goss said: “Sarah Henshaw was 31 years of age. She was a loud, outgoing and fun-loving person with an infectious laugh.
“The harm you have done and the suffering you have caused can never be undone by any sentence of this court.”
Jurors were told that Hall and Henshaw met in 2011 and had what the judge described as a “volatile” relationship. They had split up by the time of her death.
The prosecutor Michelle Heeley KC said Hall kept a key to Henshaw’s house and let himself in on the afternoon of 20 June while she was out, having previously been asked to surrender the key.
When she returned Henshaw asked Hall to leave but he refused and a loud bang was later heard from the property.
The prosecution said it did not know exactly how Henshaw died but her body was “callously dumped” near the layby that night, with phone data showing Hall stopped and repeatedly used the torch on his phone for nine minutes.
Hall used Henshaw’s phone after her death to text friends to suggest she was still alive, before throwing the device away, as well as disposing of her belongings, including her dressing gown and slippers, to pretend she had gone missing.
In evidence, Hall admitted dumping Henshaw’s body but claimed he panicked after she accidentally fell down the stairs during an argument.
Derbyshire police said there was no forensic evidence to suggest she had fallen down the stairs, she had no injuries consistent with a fall, and Hall gave no credible explanation as to why he did not seek immediate medical help for her.
Goss said he was “satisfied that there were earlier occasions in your relationship where you were violent to Sarah Henshaw and bruised her”.
“You attacked her and, although it could not be established by pathological evidence, you almost certainly strangled her. You then set about hastily doing what you could to prevent your crime being discovered.”
He added: “I can’t accept that you have genuine remorse for killing her, as you still protest you did nothing to hurt her.”
Hall trembled throughout the sentencing, appearing via video link from HMP Nottingham.
Henshaw’s relatives, who packed the public gallery throughout the trial, described her as “bubbly and mischievous” in statements read to the court.
Kelsie Henshaw, Henshaw’s sister, described Hall as a “cruel, selfish man” and said her sister’s death meant “the biggest piece of us is missing”.
She said: “Sarah was really caring and would do anything to help anyone. We have nightmares about Darren Hall and how he murdered our lovely sister and the evil way he just dumped her body.”
Her mother, Lorraine Henshaw, said Hall was a “monster” who disposed of Henshaw’s body like a “piece of rubbish”.
“All Sarah ever wanted was stability and to settle down with a partner who loved her,” she said. “To me, [Hall] is a monster who committed the most evil crime a person can do.”
