Killer is denied cut in jail term

A two-timing killer who slaughtered and dismembered his lover, showing her body to his Saddleworth girlfriend before setting her head in a concrete block, has failed to win a cut in his minimum 18-year jail term.

Kenneth Peatfield denied planning the murder of Sheffield businesswoman Susan Craven, and argued his good behaviour behind bars merited a sentence cut.

But High Court Judge Mr Justice Flaux said it was “far more likely” that Peatfield deliberately killed Mrs Craven for money with a view to replacing her with his new girlfriend.

Condemning Peatfield to stay behind bars until at least 2016, the High Court judge said an 18-year tariff was the least he deserved.

Peatfield, jailed for life at Sheffield Crown Court in 1999, had a previous conviction, in 1984, for soliciting to murder his wife and 10-year-old daughter, for which he was handed a 10-year jail term.

He told friends and neighbours that Mrs Craven had left him but her severed head was found in a concrete block in the garage.

The judge said Peatfield had shown the body to Faith Warner, saying it was Susan, but she told no-one. He ruled that his good behaviour was not so exceptional as to justify a reduction in his 18-year tariff. The ruling means it will be April, 2016, before Peatfield can apply for parole.