Death cover-up family jailed

Mr Tweedie choked on his own blood, the court heard

Three members of a Warwickshire family have been jailed for covering up the death of a man.

The body of George Tweedie, 25, from Bedworth, was found in a burnt-out car in the Peak District of Derbyshire last May.

Karen Redshaw, 38, her estranged husband Colin, also 38, and their 18-year-old son Christopher were all sentenced at Warwick Crown Court on Tuesday.

Mr Tweedie, who had been having a relationship with Ms Redshaw after they met in an internet chat room, was hit hard in the face - he choked on his own blood.

Body dumped

The court heard that, instead of calling for an ambulance for Mr Tweedie, the Redshaws embarked on an elaborate web of deceit.

Karen and Colin Redshaw wrapped Mr Tweedie's body in a bed cover and drove to the Peak District where they set fire to the car.

Karen Redshaw then involved her son in an attempt to cover up Mr Tweedie's death, sending letters to his employers that purported to be from the dead man and which claimed he was still alive.

They also sent cards from Ibiza and Amsterdam in an effort to maintain the pretence that Mr Tweedie was not dead.

Callous behaviour

Karen Redshaw was jailed for seven years, Colin Redshaw for five and their son was sentenced to two years, all for perverting the course of justice.

The judge told the family their conduct was "callous in the extreme", but made it clear the sentences related only to what happened after Mr Tweedie's death.

The Crown Prosecution Service said there was not enough evidence for any other charges.