Man jailed for prostitute murder

Part of Lyndsey Bourne's body was found last October

A man has been convicted of the murder of a Leeds prostitute whose dismembered body was found in woods in the Meanwood area of the city in September 2004.

Stuart Burns, 30, cut up the body of 28-year-old Lyndsey Bourne when she died following a struggle at his flat.

He told the jury he panicked and decided to get rid of the body of Ms Bourne who was originally from Selby.

Burns pleaded guilty to manslaughter but denied murder. He will be told on Monday how long he will spend in jail.

Leg discovered

Ms Bourne was last seen by friends who dropped her off in Sovereign Street in the city centre.

A murder investigation was started the following month after the discovery of her leg in an area of woodland known as Woodhouse Ridge.

Burns told the court he met Ms Bourne at the end of a night's drinking and did not realise she was a prostitute until she demanded money for sex at his home in the Holt Park area of Leeds.

A fight broke out and he grabbed her round the neck to restrain her and she slumped to the floor.

The body was cut up the bath of the flat and ferried to the woods in sacks and bin liners.

Burns, who is a painter and decorator, went to police in July after a description was issued of a man seen acting suspiciously in the woods.

Mr Justice Simon at Leeds Crown Court sentenced him to life imprisonment and said he would announce on Monday the minimum length of time Burns should spend in jail.

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