Justice at last as Hatfield killer gets 27 years
AS murderer Richard Clare was sentenced to a minimum of 27 years behind bars for slitting his love rival’s throat, a second family were relieved to have “justice at last”.
Clare was found guilty of murdering Peter McConnell, wrapping him from head-to-toe in parcel tape and burying him in the garden of his Hatfield home.
Once the jury had returned its verdict, they were shocked to be told Clare was a double-killer.
The 38-year-old from Fern Dells had claimed self-defence in a previous trial six years earlier. He was found not guilty of both murder and manslaughter, despite admitting striking Timothy Magee with a dessert spoon in the back of the head, which caused a fatal bleed.
Timothy’s aunt Sue had been in court to hear Clare, 38, sentenced to life. Afterwards she told the WHT: “I’m so really pleased, we’ve got justice for Timmy as well.”
Timmy’s mother Berenice Waite said she was pleased Clare had been given a long sentence.
She said: “Nothing will ever bring back Tim, but it would be nice for him to have justice. It’s a nice Christmas present I suppose.”
Most Read
- 1 The latest court results for Welwyn Hatfield and Potters Bar
- 2 Multi-vehicle crash on M25 near Potters Bar
- 3 Campaigners close in on fundraising target ahead BioPark appeal
- 4 Uni of Herts student loses arm on Turkish holiday
- 5 Head injury follows taxi assault in Potters Bar
- 6 Hatfield tenant upset over housing issue that has yet to be rectified after a year
- 7 Concerns raised over ‘grotesque’ 5G mast plans ruining iconic WGC view
- 8 7 of the most beautiful churches in Hertfordshire
- 9 IN PICTURES: The return of Kimpton Folk Festival
- 10 Potters Bar RSPCA looking for new homes for farm animals
The sister of murder victim Peter McConnell, who was due to celebrate his 44th birthday on Christmas Day, told the court Clare’s treatment of her brother had been horrific.
*For full murder trial report see this week’s Welwyn Hatfield Times.