Murderer fools prison guards into letting him skip sentencing
THE sentencing of a prisoner for murder has been delayed after he persuaded guards that he did not need to show up.
Joe Storey, 27, faces being jailed for life after he was found guilty on Thursday of brutally killing his girlfriend Kerri Mcauley, 32, a mother of two, in her home after a night out.
He was due to be sentenced yesterday at Norwich Crown Court but the hearing had to be adjourned until Monday after Storey told staff at Bedford Prison that he did not have to attend court in person and they believed him.
Judge Stephen Holt said: “Once again Joe Storey has manipulated the court process ... I understand he told the staff at Bedford Prison, where he’s being held because it’s unsafe to hold him in Norwich, that he wasn’t required and could do it by video-link and for some reason they believed him.”
The judge told Ms Mcauley’s family and friends, who had come to court to see Storey jailed, that he had made enquiries about bringing the murderer to court with a Norfolk Police escort.
He was told there were not enough officers available after police had to supervise a Take That concert at Norwich City’s Carrow Road football ground.
Simon Spence QC, prosecuting, said he was “flabbergasted” at the “level of incompetence” shown by staff at Bedford Prison. Ms Mcauley’s uncle, Steven Roberts, 50, said the blunder only served to “increase the stress” being felt by the entire family.