Man jailed for brutal 1994 Wibsey murder

Wednesday, 22 May 2019 07:00

A man has been jailed for a brutal murder that remained unsolved for nearly 25 years.

Amy Shepherd, who was 86, was murdered in August 1994 at her home in Folly Hall Gardens, Wibsey.

Raymond Kay, 70, of Barker Fold, Halifax has been found guilty of her murder and given a mandatory life sentence.

This conviction at Bradford Crown Court comes after work by a ‘Cold Case’ team – set up specifically to look at unsolved murders and serious sexual offences.

The court heard how the arrest came after advances in forensic techniques used to bring criminals to justice.

Kay’s DNA was found on Amy’s body (a hair on her neck) and a tea towel that was used to strangle her.

He will serve a minimum sentence of 17 years before he can be considered for release.

Detective Superintendent Chris Gibson led the most recent investigation: “We never close a case until it is solved and today we have been able to get justice for Amy and closure for her family.

“Kay now has a life sentence ahead of him in which to consider the consequences of his actions. He has been brought to justice thanks to advances in DNA technology and some excellent police work.

“Kay might have thought that he had ‘got away’ with what he did but the advances in DNA techniques mean that we are increasingly able to bring people to justice for their crimes, even if they were committed many years previously.”

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