HE THREW AWAY HIS LIFE FOR GREED
Michael Smith saw the £8,000 in cash – and killed to get it...
It was August 1975 and, aged 21, after years in approved schools and borstals, Smith was finally a free man.
What’s more, pretty Sheila Deakin wanted to go out with him.
Smith thought the 18-year-old was the most gorgeous woman he had ever laid eyes on. He was amazed when she agreed to go out with him at the party where they met.
But, as Christmas approached, his devotion was becoming something darker.
Sheila had a friend who lived nearby and the pair often went to pubs and clubs together – something possessive Smith didn’t approve of at all.
On the morning of December 23, Sheila went to pick up two-year-old daughter Debbie from her mother’s house.
When she failed to return to the flat
Kicked
BRUTAL: Smith had only been a free man for a year when he murdered his second victim they shared with Smith by late afternoon, he became agitated.
He assumed Sheila had gone out with her mate... again.
Smith spent the night on the sofa drinking cider.
And when Sheila did eventually return, he killed her.
At his trial at Stafford Crown Court the following April, Smith denied murder but admitted manslaughter due to provocation. He said Sheila had gone out to pick up Debbie and collect her social security, then hadn’t returned.
He told the jury he believed she had gone out with her friend to meet men.
Smith told the court he’d been woken around midnight by hammering on the door.
He answered it to find Sheila with a man.
Smith said: “The bloke told me to hand over the keys and to get out of the flat because it was Sheila’s flat.
“Sheila kept saying she hated me.
“The man hit me and kicked me, then left.”
Smith said after the man had gone away, Sheila taunted him about his prowess in bed.
“I put my hands around her neck,” he said.
“I didn’t mean to harm her. I’ve never felt like that before.
“I vaguely remember putting part of her tights around her neck.”
After the killing, Smith went to his parents’ house. He told them Sheila had dumped him and that he was feeling suicidal.
He then told them he was going to talk to Sheila – by then already long dead – and that he would be back by lunchtime.
When lunchtime came and went, Smith’s father began to worry his son had harmed himself.
At 8pm he called the police, who went straight round to Sheila’s flat.
They broke down the door and found her naked body on the floor, with Smith sitting next to her.
At his trial, the jury dismissed Smith’s defence of provocation.
And, after two hours, they returned a verdict – guilty of murder.
Smith was jailed for life and told he would be eligible for parole in 10 years.
During his time inside he was no model prisoner, escaping from custody several times.
Those indiscretions meant he would end up spending nearly 30 years behind bars.
It was August 2005 before he breathed free air again.
And, within a year, he
Delahoyde doesn’t believe in messing about and just LOVES to get naked!
The ex- beauty doesn’t enjoy wasting time taking her clothes off – and prefers to spend her whole day in the buff.
The 24-year-old model, from Gravesend, Kent, said she’d much rather be completely starkers in the bedroom.
Cara, who boasts 30C boobs, said: “By the time you get to the bedroom you know exactly what’s going to happen.
“Why waste time putting on a sexy outfit?
“Just cut to the chase and get into bed.
“It is always better without clothes anyway. Blokes want to see your bum and boobs – not a piece of fabric.
“Women always look better naked.”