Man jailed for ex-girlfriend's murder

The judge described it as a "horrendous" murder

A man who murdered his 22-year-old ex-girlfriend in her flat has been jailed for life.

Gary Horton, 29, of Walmsley Street, Darwen, Lancashire, was convicted by a jury at the Old Bailey of killing Charlotte Flannagan.

Horton - who is 6'8" tall and weighs 20 stone - attacked Ms Flannagan in the flat above the Mayfair pub where she worked.

She was stabbed through the neck with 10-inch carving knife and her body left on her bed.

French maid outfit

The court heard the pair had lived together in Darwen, but Charlotte had moved to London.

He killed her after she started going out with another man.

Her body - still in a French Maid outfit from a fancy dress party held the night before - was found in her flat above the Barley Mow pub with a large knife protruding from her neck.

Judge Brian Barker said it was an "horrendous" crime and a "senseless waste" of a young woman's life.

Horton had admitted carrying out the attack, but had denied murder.

He was convicted by an 11-1 majority.