Victim's family tell of their pain
The grieving family of a murdered Shropshire man today spoke of the pain and heartache they have faced because of his death, as two men started life sentences for his murder.
Pawnbroker George Black, 41, of The Square, Bucknell, near Craven Arms, died in hospital two days after he suffered 40 per cent burns when petrol and kerosene were thrown over him and set alight.
Yesterday Robert Field, 22, of Etnam Street, Leominster, and Gareth Powell, 29, of The Grove, Shobdon, Leominster, began life sentences for killing Mr Black, after being found guilty of his murder.
The pair were sentenced by Mr Justice Roderick Evans at Worcester Crown Court, who said that Field must serve a minimum of 23 years before he would be considered for release.
Powell must serve at least 20 years.
Mr Black's sister Debra Black, 42, today said: "There's not a lot we can say apart from justice has been done. It still doesn't take away our pain and heartache that we've been feeling over the past 11-and-a-half months. The pain and suffering my brother went through that night will never leave us.
"It was a pure evil, vindictive attack that we all have to live with. My brother was a family man, kind, caring and intelligent.
"Those evil people brought him to his death through pure greed and nothing more. They have inflicted pain, not only on Georgie and his family, but others too. We would like to thank the police, the Crown Prosecution Service and all other parties involved."
Mr Black's girlfriend, Sylvia Marie Smith, 22, of Cherrybrook Close, Hope-under-Dinmore, Leominster, was jailed for 12 years for conspiracy to murder and attempting to pervert the course of justice. She will serve six years in prison and six years on licence.
The court heard she was having an affair with Field and believed she was having his child. The court was told they exchanged texts referring to "when he's gone" which the prosecution said showed they intended to kill Mr Black.
Smith's mother, Sylvia Jane Smith, 42, and her stepfather, Steven Smith, 46, also both of Cherrybrook Close, were both convicted of attempting to pervert the course of justice. They were sentenced to four years each, with half the time in custody and half on licence.
