Love-triangle murder woman jailed

Mr Redhead was stabbed four times with a carving knife

A woman who encouraged her lover to kill her former boyfriend has been jailed for life.

Kelly Sanchez, 21, and lover Mark Russell, 41, of Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, were both convicted of murder at St Albans Crown Court.

John Redhead, 40, also of Potters Bar, was stabbed four times in Barnet Road in the town on 26 August 2007.

Judge Michael Baker QC said Sanchez must serve at least three years before parole would be considered.

'Evil influence'

Russell had already been sentenced to life and will have to serve at least 14 years before being considered for parole.

Judge Baker described him at the Sanchez sentencing hearing as a "malign, evil influence" on her.

He said he had no choice but to give Sanchez a life sentence as she was convicted of murder. The pair had ambushed Redhead as he returned to a friend's flat after a night out at a pub.

Sanchez was previously in a relationship with the victim

The day before his death Mr Redhead met Sanchez in a pub in Potters Bar after telling her in a text that he still loved her. Sanchez had told jurors she loved Mr Redhead and wanted a reconciliation with him.

Sanchez had been barred from Mr Redhead's local pub following an argument on the night of the killing.

Jurors heard that Sanchez later threatened revenge on Mr Redhead, telling him "we'll be back".