Obsessed friend guilty of hitman plot

A woman who tried to hire a hitman after falling out with her friend has been convicted of conspiracy to murder.

Donna Bailey, 24, developed a "dangerous obsession" with Anna Augustin after the two met at college in Clapham, south-west London, the Old Bailey was told.

They became friends, but later fell out when Bailey started lying, claiming she had suffered a miscarriage two days after Miss Augustin lost her own baby, the jury heard.

The prosecution said Miss Augustin told Bailey she wanted no more to do with her after a "considerable row".

Officer posed as hitman

Miss Augustin told the trial she regretted making friends with Bailey, who the jury heard, aspired to and mirrored everything that Miss Augustin did.

Bailey then contacted a 'middle man', but he went to police, who arranged for an undercover officer to pose as the hitman.

The court heard Bailey and her boyfriend Nigel Henry, 42, of Dorking Close, Deptford met the officer and the conversation was taped.

The two were later arrested.

Both were convicted of conspiracy to murder at the Old Bailey on Tuesday.

They will be sentenced on 12 December.