An Irish builder, who drunkenly strangled and smothered his partner following the breakdown of their relationship, began a life sentence in Britain yesterday.
Cathal Comerford had been on "a mission to get drunk" on the fateful night, Liverpool crown court heard, and after they had agreed to split up and Sarah Williams allegedly goaded him about other men, he launched the fatal attack.
"I am satisfied that you knew that Miss Williams was dead as soon as you had strangled and smothered her but nevertheless you went to sleep in the same flat and did nothing about calling the emergency services until the following day," said Judge Clement Goldstone, QC, the Recorder of Liverpool.
Comerford (41) had pleaded guilty to murdering Miss Williams at their flat in St James Road, New Brighton, Wirral, on April 15th, of this year. Comerford, who was born in Dublin, lived in Ireland before moving to England in 2003. He married his wife Fiona in Ireland. He received a life sentence, with a minimum term of 10 years 10 months before he can apply for parole.