Detectives welcome Black convictions

Detective Inspector Mick Homden, of West Mercia Police, said Mr Black's family had been left devastated by his death.

Mr Black died two days after he had petrol and kerosene thrown over him and set alight at his home in Bucknell, near Craven Arms. Robert Field, 22, of Etnam Street, Leominster, and Gareth Powell, 29, of Shobdon, Leominster, were today jailed for life for Mr Black's murder after denying the charge.

Sylvia Marie Smith, Mr Black's girlfriend, who had been having an affair with Field, was yesterday found guilty by a jury at Worcester Crown Court of conspiracy to murder.

The 22-year-old, of Cherrybrook Close, Hope-under-Dinmore, Leominster, had denied the conspiracy charge, as well as perverting the course of justice, which she was convicted of last week.

She had been pregnant with a child she believed to be Field's at the time of the murder.

Smith's stepfather Steven Smith, 46, and her mother Sylvia Jane Smith, 42, also from Cherrybrook Close, had denied perverting the course of justice, but both were convicted last week.

Speaking outside the court yesterday, Mr Homden, the deputy senior investigating officer for the case, said: "We are very pleased with the outcome, not only because it's the result of a lot of hard work but hopefully Mr Black's parents and his sisters can draw some comfort from the convictions.

"I want to thank all the officers who worked tirelessly throughout and our partner agencies, who found valuable evidence which greatly assisted in the conviction of the offenders."

Mr Justice Roderick Evans, in sentencing today, told Field and Powell: "I'm quite satisfied that your intention was to pour accelerant over him and set him alight to kill him.

"I have been asked to conclude that Gareth Powell didn't share that intention. That you foresaw Robert Field might do this. I reject that.

"Your conduct and friendship make it inevitable that you both knew what was going to happen."

By Hannah Costigan