Courts / Wicklow / Report
Married man beat woman to death with hammer after she told him she was pregnant, prosecution tell jury
Summary
In a Central Criminal Court case, 40‑year‑old Roy Webster of Ashbree, Ashford, Co Wicklow pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter in the death of Anne Shortall, 47, on 3 April 2015. Prosecutor Paul Greene SC argued that Webster and Shortall had a sexual encounter after meeting at a pub on 20 December 2014. Shortall later contacted Webster, claiming she was pregnant and demanding money for an abortion. When she threatened to expose their prior encounter, Webster struck her on the head with a hammer, then transported her body to his workshop, securing her hands with duct tape. He was found to have hidden the body behind wood panels until 7 April, when he informed the Gardaí. Webster admitted to assault, binding, and lying to police, and his defence acknowledged his responsibility for Shortall's death. The jury was instructed to decide whether the offence was murder or manslaughter.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Married man beat woman to death with hammer after she told him she was pregnant, prosecution tell jury. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Anne Shortall (47) on April 3, 2015 at The Murrough, Co Wicklow. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- April 3, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 20, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 7 Other
- April 3 Other
- April 6 Other
- December 20 Other
- 2017-03-08 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Anne Shortall (47) on April 3, 2015 at The Murrough, Co Wicklow (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
Topics
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