Killer uses kettle to beat man to death

A woman who beat a man to death with a kettle has been sentenced to at least 18 years in prison.

Elizabeth Sweeney, 36, denied murdering Neil Jolly, 49, at his flat in Marischal Court, Aberdeen, in June 2023.

Today, (31 March) the High Court in Aberdeen heard how Sweeney repeatedly punched her victim on the head and body, before striking him with a kettle or other unknown implement.

She was sentenced to life imprisonment, of which she must serve a minimum of 18 years.

Judge Andrew Miller said the "murderous assault" resulted in over 70 blunt force injuries to his head, neck, arms, hands and torso, and multiple defensive wounds were present.

He told Sweeney: "You inflicted a severe and fatal brain injury and other head injuries which, according to the medical evidence given at your trial, were of a kind which might be expected to result from a high-impact road traffic collisions or a fall from height, along with fractures to a rib and to a structure in his throat."

The murder is believed to have occurred between the evening of Thursday 22 June 2023 and the early hours of the following morning.

Mr. Jolly's body was discovered by police in the early hours of Monday 26 June, after Sweeney contacted emergency services.

During the trial, CCTV footage was shown, capturing Sweeney outside the building after the murder had taken place.

The court heard how Sweeney had soaked the victim's body with water, and had allegedly attempted to clean blood from the bathroom and kettle.

Judge Miller told Sweeney: "During the intervening weekend you did nothing to seek help for Neil Jolly or to allow his body to be recovered.

"Instead, you appear to have spent that weekend in much the same way as you might have spent any other weekend, apparently giving little, if any, thought to Neil Jolly's fate or your part in it.

"Statements written by Neil Jolly's mother, son and sister powerfully express the enormous loss which his death represents to his family, which includes his three children.

"It is clear that the family's distress has been magnified by the knowledge of how Mr Jolly died and the knowledge that you left him where he lay for three days after you murdered him before contacting emergency services."

Sweeney claimed that the murder was an act of self-defence after Mr. Jolly had allegedly sexually assaulted her in her sleep, but jurors found her guilty last month after a trial at Aberdeen's High Court.

The pair were alleged to have been partners or ex-partners, with Sweeney found to have assaulted Mr. Jolly at least twice in the weeks leading up to his death.

The court heard of Sweeney's "difficult personal background, including abuse by a previous partner, and longstanding drug addiction."

Judge Miller added: "Although you maintain your general description, which the jury rejected, of how this incident began, the report states that you take full responsibility for Neil Jolly's death and that you feel remorse for your actions."

Detective Inspector William Murdoch said: "We acknowledge this sentence today and hope that this brings some comfort to the family and friends of Neil Jolly.

"I would like to thank all officers involved for their dedication and commitment throughout the investigation as well as those members of the public who assisted with our enquiries."