By Lucy Caulkett-
A man has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his ex-partner.
The court heard that Darren Hall brutally attacked his girlfriend Sarah Henshaw during an argument at her home in Ilkeston on June 20, leaving her lifeless body dumped near the M1, 20 miles away.
The trial, which lasted two weeks at Derby Crown Court, revealed the disturbing details of a “volatile” relationship that ultimately ended in tragedy. The jury found Hall guilty of murder after just three hours of deliberation.
Henshaw was described as a loud, outgoing, and fun-loving person with an infectious laugh who fell victim to a violent attack, with evidence pointing to strangulation.
The court heard that Hall, maintaining a key to Henshaw’s residence, entered her home during her absence on June 20. A confrontation ensued, leading to the fatal assault. Hall then callously disposed of her body near a lay-by on the westbound A617 near Chesterfield.
Disturbingly, Hall used Henshaw’s phone after her death to send text messages to friends, creating a false narrative that she was still alive. In the following days, he attempted to cover up his heinous act by discarding Henshaw’s belongings and maintaining a series of lies, as revealed during the trial.
Prosecutor Michelle Heeley KC highlighted the backdrop of domestic abuse against which the crime occurred, shedding light on the dynamics of a relationship marred by violence. Defense KC Andrew Vout acknowledged the wrongfulness of Hall’s actions but claimed he deeply regretted his actions.
Police were called to Market Place in Ilkeston just after 2.10am on Saturday.
He was arrested on 23 June, and charged with murder five days later.
During sentencing, Mr Justice Goss said that Hall had “maintained the fiction” that he had not hurt Ms Henshaw.
The judge, Mr. Justice Goss, emphasized the gravity of the crime during sentencing, stating: “Having heard all the evidence, I am satisfied that there were earlier occasions in your relationship where you were violent to Sarah Henshaw and bruised her.
“Whatever arose that caused you to be violent in the bedroom, you attacked her and, although it could not be established by pathological evidence, you almost certainly strangled her.
“You then set about hastily doing what you could to prevent your crime being discovered.
“Consequently, you made mistakes which enabled careful detective work to reveal what you had done.”
He added: “I can’t accept that you have genuine remorse for killing her, as you still protest you did nothing to hurt her.
“I accept that there was no pre-meditation and you had no intention to kill, but you clearly ignored her screams and used sufficient force to cause her death.”
Hall had previously told the court that Ms Henshaw died after falling down the stairs but admitted to dumping her body in the lay-by as he “just panicked”.
Defence KC Andrew Vout submitted that Hall “deeply regretted and was very sorry for” dumping Ms Henshaw’s body, and called the defendant’s actions as “plainly very wrong”.
Henshaw’s family, devastated by the loss of a beloved daughter and sister, expressed their grief in court statements. They painted a picture of a caring and lively individual whose life was cut short by a “cruel, selfish man.” Henshaw’s mother, Lorraine, described Hall as a “monster” who treated her daughter’s body like “rubbish.”
CCTV of missing woman Sarah Henshaw from Ilkeston, Derbyshire. Source: Derbyshire Police
He said: “Having heard all the evidence, I am satisfied that there were earlier occasions in your relationship where you were violent to Sarah Henshaw and bruised her.
“Whatever arose that caused you to be violent in the bedroom, you attacked her and, although it could not be established by pathological evidence, you almost certainly strangled her.
“You then set about hastily doing what you could to prevent your crime being discovered.
“Consequently, you made mistakes which enabled careful detective work to reveal what you had done.”
He added: “I can’t accept that you have genuine remorse for killing her, as you still protest you did nothing to hurt her.
“I accept that there was no pre-meditation and you had no intention to kill, but you clearly ignored her screams and used sufficient force to cause her death.”
Hall had previously told the court that Ms Henshaw died after falling down the stairs but admitted to dumping her body in the lay-by as he “just panicked”.
Defence KC Andrew Vout submitted that Hall “deeply regretted and was very sorry for” dumping Ms Henshaw’s body, and called the defendant’s actions as “plainly very wrong”.