Men jailed over suffocation death

Michael McKevitt (left) and Stephen Wales admitted burglary charges

A man found guilty of murdering a woman during a bungled burglary in Merseyside has been jailed for life.

Michael McKevitt suffocated Pauline Beattie, 54, in Chapel Road, Anfield, in 2008, Liverpool Crown Court heard.

McKevitt, 37, of Phoenix Brow in St Helens, who admitted burglary, was ordered to serve a minimum of 25 years.

His accomplice Stephen Wales, 44, of Bright Street, Everton, was found guilty of manslaughter and jailed for eight years. He also admitted burglary.

Community support

The court heard the two men went to the home of Ms Beattie with a view to stealing money.

The judge said he believed McKevitt had put his arm around the victim's neck from behind and suffocated her.

Post-mortem tests showed she had been asphyxiated.

Det Sgt Martin Humphreys, of Merseyside Police, said: "It is thanks to the information and support from the local community that these two offenders have been bought to justice.

"While I know that no result will bring Pauline back, I hope that this result has given a small amount of comfort to her family."