Life for jealous husband who killed wife's GP lover

Andrew Hill was convicted by unanimous verdict at Sheffield Crown Court and was told he would spend a minimum of 17 years behind bars.

The 49-year-old telecoms engineer acted in a "deliberate and calculated way" when he bludgeoned family doctor Colin Shawcross, 58, at his rented home in Ashley Grove, Aston, near Sheffield, a year ago, said the judge Mr Justice Wilkie.

The court heard Hill drove to Dr Shawcross's house after his wife Julie announced she was leaving him for the GP.

Hill shook his head and looked dazed as the verdict was read out. At one point, he had to hold on to the glass panel at the front of the dock to stop him falling over.

His mother burst into tears in the public gallery and was comforted by her husband and supporters.

The judge said: "You acted in a devious, vengeful, cowardly and unmanly way. You deliberately armed yourself with a deadly weapon and engineered a situation where you were free to surprise Dr Shawcross and strike him."

Mr Justice Wilkie added that Hill had the "presence of mind and apparent foresight to go to a previously-identified site" to bury the GP's body.

He said: "You have been found guilty of the murder of Dr Colin Shawcross, a man who had devoted himself for 30 years as a GP to caring for the health and well-being of his fellows.

"He still had a great deal to give both to society and his family."

The judge told Hill that he believed his defence - that he had recruited "gypsy men" to rough up the doctor but who went too far - was an "utter fabrication".

Dr Shawcross, of Ashley Grove in Aston, Sheffield, was reported missing on January 24 last year. His remains were found in Loscar Wood, near Rotherham, months later.

Dr Shawcross was separated from his wife and had retired from full-time work at his Sheffield practice.

However, he continued to work as a doctor, doing hospital work and working as a locum GP. He worked for 30 years at Firth Park Surgery in Sheffield.

His widow Carol spoke in court about how her husband's loss had devastated her life and those of her three sons.

She said: "The last year has been traumatic and difficult for us as a family."

Mrs Shawcross said her grief about her husband's premature death had been compounded by Hill's concealment of the body.

"For five months, we were unable to grieve properly. We continued to think of Colin on a daily basis."

After the hearing, Det Supt Mick Mason of South Yorkshire Police said: "One year ago, Dr Colin Shawcross was subjected to a brutal and unprovoked attack, which resulted in his death.

"His body was removed from the scene in his own vehicle and was not recovered by the police for over five months. This was with the assistance of specialist search teams and outside experts. I would like to formally thank them for their assistance.

"This has clearly been a very difficult time for Mrs Shawcross and her family but throughout they have conducted themselves with great dignity.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs Shawcross and her sons for their support throughout the police investigation."