Life term for canal murder

A Shropshire man has been given a life sentence for murdering his ex-wife's former lover and dumping his body in a canal.

His 19-year-old daughter was sentenced to five-and-a-half years for helping to lure the victim to the scene of the attack.

Vivian Paul Price, 45, of Market Drayton, was found on January 4 this year in the Shropshire Union Canal, about a mile south of Soudley. He died of head injuries after he was beaten with a brick.

John Jackson, 52, of Alexandra Road, Market Drayton, was yesterday handed a life sentence at Derby Crown Court after admitting murder, and told he would have to serve a minimum of 15 years.

Louise Christine Jackson, 19, of Riverside Drive, Tern Hill, was given a total of five-and-a-half years in a young offenders' institution after admitting manslaughter, and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Her mother Mandy Jane Jackson, 42, also admitted manslaughter and attempting to pervert the course of justice and will be sentenced on December 17 when reports have been prepared.

Mr Mark Wall QC, prosecuting, told the court how Mr Price had been drinking with Mandy Jackson, her daughter and ex-husband on the night of January 3 this year.

Unbeknown to Mr Price, who had been in a turbulent relationship with Mandy Jackson until they split the previous year, his drinks were being spiked and a plot had been hatched to assault him later that night.

The group left the Wharf Tavern, near Cheswardine, after closing time and stopped in a secluded area a short drive away where John Jackson hit Mr Price about 15 times with a brick. His body was then dumped in the canal.

The next day all three helped to destroy John Jackson's car and reported it stolen. But the torched vehicle was found before the alleged theft occurred, giving the police a vital clue as to who was involved.

Mr Nick Johnson QC, for John Jackson, said: "This wasn't a cold blooded murder carried out with significant pre-meditation."

Judge John Wait said: "When you drove him away from the Wharf Tavern it was just a matter of when the car would be stopped."

By Andy Rogers