Murderer's conviction appeal fails

A Shropshire man jailed for murdering a pub-goer he thought was flirting with his girlfriend has had his appeal against the conviction dismissed. A Shropshire man jailed for murdering a pub-goer he thought was flirting with his girlfriend has had his appeal against the conviction dismissed. Shaun William Healy, 48, of Hollybush Road, Bridgnorth, was jailed for life for stabbing Jonathan Styles to death in the Friar's pub in the town in March 2001. Mr Styles, who was known as Johnny Rockstar because of his flamboyant style, suffered a wound to his neck so deep that it pierced his tongue. He was pronounced dead at the scene. At his trial at Birmingham Crown Court in July 2002, Healy admitted going home to get a knife after seeing Mr Styles, of Waterloo Terrace, Bridgnorth, with his girlfriend, but denied deliberately stabbing his victim. Although he was handed a mandatory life sentence, he launched an appeal in July this year after his defence counsel criticised his trial barrister and argued the conviction was "unsafe". Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star.