COUPLE JAILED ON PAT MURDER

Father-of-four beaten, stabbed and dumped to die in alleyway

- JANE CORSCADDEN, JONATHAN MCCAMBRIDGE and CLAUDIA SAVAGE

A COUPLE were yesterday jailed for 20 years and 10 years over the killing of a father-of-four in a "brutal and savage" attack.

Patrick Ward was seriously assaulted with a number of weapons before being stripped and dragged into an alleyway and left to die in Clogher, Co Tyrone, in February 2019.

At Dungannon Crown Court, Niall Cox, 28, of McCrea Park in Clogher, was told he must serve at least 20 years in prison for the murder before he can be considered for release.

Karen Marie McDonald, 37, of the same address, was sentenced to 10 years for manslaughter, with five years to be served in custody.

Cox had initially denied murder but later changed his plea, while McDonald was convicted of manslaughter at trial earlier this year.

Mr Ward's wife and parents were in court for the sentencing hearing.

Addressing his widow Ellie, Mr Justice Stephen Fowler said he had been moved by her statement to the court.