Nellie’s killer sees sentence cut

Mark Royle: sentence reduced

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The “parasite” drug addict jailed for killing 79-year-old Nellie Geraghty in Shaw in 2011 has won a cut in his sentence.

Homeless Mark Royle (38) snuffed out Nellie’s life “for the price of a fix or two” in a street robbery gone wrong near to her home in Shaw. Nellie had clung on grimly to her bag, which contained the ashes of her beloved husband

The long-term heroin user was handed a life sentence minimum term of 28 years at Manchester Crown Court last August for murder and robbery.

Judges at London’s Appeal Court yesterday upheld a challenge by Royle against his minimum term — but reduced it only to 25 years. They branded his crime “dreadful”.

Mrs Geraghty suffered heart failure and died two days after her bag was dragged from her in the attack.

Royle, described as a “parasite on society” by the judge, was spotted by witnesses and captured on CCTV riding a bike in the area.

Lady Justice Rafferty said: “Mrs Geraghty, at 4ft 10in and 79 years old, made a ready victim for a bag-snatch. She clung on to her bag, but Royle used considerable force. He snuffed out Mrs Geraghty’s life for the price of a fix or two.”

Mark George QC, for Royle, said the minimum term imposed was “so significantly on the high side as to be manifestly excessive”, notwithstanding the “terrible” crime.

The appeal judge, sitting with Mr Justice Simon and Mrs Justice Carr, said: “Everyone accepts this was a murder for gain.

“In our view, the twin interests of the public and of Royle could be adequately served by a minimum term of 25 years and, to that limited extent, this appeal against sentence succeeds.”