Man sentenced to life in prison for brutal rape and murder of Irish vet in Wales

Judge hands down 37 year sentence for horrific crimes committed by a dangerous predator

Clive Sharp (46) has been sentenced to 37 years in prison for the rape and murder of County Offaly vet Catherine Gowing, in Wales.

Sharp tied Gowing up in her home, raped her, killed her and then dismembered her body, dumping her remains in various pools in North Wales. Her body was never discovered but some remains were found at two different locations. Her right hand and foot were found by police divers in a pond near Sealand while her torso, partially wrapped in plastic, was found near Chester

Gowing went missing in October 2012. Five days after her disappearance Sharp was arrested.

Speaking to the Irish Independent Maureen, Gowing’s mother, said Sharp had “ruined” her family’s lives and said they would “never be the same again."

Read more: Police discover human remains in two sites while searching for Catherine Gowing

The victim’s sister Emma, and her husband Shay Maguire, were present at Mold Crown Court to hear the sentencing.

In a victim impact statement Emma said, “My sister was a vibrant, wonderful woman, who lived life fully, with love, compassion, fun, adventure and joy.

"Our lives will never be the same. That man has caused my family unimaginable pain, suffering and grief and the recurring nightmare of what he did to her before she died."

Judge John Griffith-Williams said, “This is a horrific, cold-hearted murder, carried out to gratify your perverted sexual desires.

“The proper inference must be she was subjected to various forms of sexual abuse. The likelihood was she was gagged to prevent her call for help. You are, on any view, a very serious danger to women."

Sharp had previous convictions for sexual offenses, dating back to 1982. He had been jailed twice for his offenses.

Just hours before he broke into Gowing’s home he had left another woman tied to her bed as she had refused to take part in his fantasies.

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Nster.com