Killer is sent to secure hospital

Melonie Parkin's body was found in a field

A 22-year-old man who strangled his girlfriend to death has been detained under mental health legislation.

Lee Yarrow, of Barnsley, was sentenced after admitting the manslaughter of 17-year-old Melonie Parkin at an earlier hearing.

He pleaded guilty on the grounds of diminished responsibility after experts said he had a "delusional disorder".

The judge on Friday ordered Yarrow to be detained in a secure hospital with no time limit.

Girlfriend's fidelity

Sheffield Crown Court heard in October that Yarrow strangled Miss Parkin, of Penistone, South Yorkshire, as they sat in his car on a country track in March 2003.

Evidence was given that Yarrow, from Allendale Road, Honeywell, Barnsley was obsessed with his girlfriend's fidelity.

Yarrow told the court he strangled Miss Parkin while telling her that he loved her and saying: "Sorry baby."

He later left the trainee hairdresser's body in a field after straightening her clothes and placing a ring on her wedding finger.

Two psychiatrists concluded that Yarrow was mentally ill and believed his personality problems stretched back to his childhood.