Couple given life for murder of Bridgnorth businessman Richard Sherratt

Emma Bate and Paramjit Singh stormed Richard Sherratt's apartment in Bridgnorth, took his bank cards and then tortured him for his Pin number.

Bate was ordered to serve a minimum sentence of 25 years for his murder, while Singh was ordered to serve at least 18 years.

They were also given 10 years each to run concurrently for robbery.

Mr Sherratt, 57, died within an hour of the robbery in Old School Mews after suffering 38 injuries, including five blows to the head and puncture marks on his face and neck.

Judge Simon Tonking told his killers at Stafford Crown Court: "It is not possible nor is it necessary to say precisely what part each of you played in inflicting the injuries which caused Mr Sherratt's death, but that you were both involved in the use of violence beyond any doubts."

He went on to pay tribute to Mr Sherratt's family who sat in court for most of the three week trial.

He said: "Not only is Richard Sherratt lost to his three children, but to his mother, brother, nephew and many friends. His immediate family feel a huge void in their lives, no longer having him to turn to. For them there was no time to say goodbye: just the shock that he was dead, something which, through sleepless nights and anxious days, they are still suffering."

Both Bate, 26, of Gladstone Street, Birmingham, and Singh, 33, of Willmore Road, Birmingham, showed no emotion as their fate was read out.

Bate, formerly of Cannock, was found guilty of Mr Sherratt's murder. She had admitted to robbing him. Singh had admitted to murdering and robbing Mr Sherratt.

The trial heard how Bate had set up the robbery of Mr Sherratt, who was a former client of hers, to pay off a dealer she used for her crack-cocaine and heroin addiction.

She called on the help of Singh, also a heavy crack-cocaine user. They broke into Mr Sherratt's apartment attacked him and took his wallet and £10,000 watch.