Man Jailed Over Death of Colette Law
A 30-year-old man has been locked up for nearly five years after admitting assaulting Colette Law multiple times and hiding her body.
Tragic Discovery in Church Grounds
Colette, 26, died on a summer night last July. Her body was left undiscovered in a tent near St Mary and St Nicolas Church in spalding/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spalding for a whole week before it was finally found on 17 July.
Paul Neilson Tried to Cover Up Crime
Paul Neilson, who has no fixed address, lied to friends and family, claiming Colette had returned to Scotland. But he knew she had died in that tent and deliberately refused to tell the authorities.
Justice Won Thanks to Community Help
- The delay in finding Colette’s body meant the coroner couldn’t start a post-mortem or investigation immediately.
- Neilson faced charges for assault and perverting the course of justice after witnesses from the local community stepped forward with vital information.
- Police praised the public’s courage, saying without their help, justice for Colette and her family wouldn’t have been possible.
“We found that he had assaulted her repeatedly before her death and then tried to cover it up,” police said. “Colette’s family have faced the worst imaginable with strength and dignity. While nothing can bring her back, we can now hold the perpetrator to account.”
Sentencing Details
Neilson pleaded guilty to:
- One charge of assault by beating
- Two charges of actual bodily harm
- One charge of perverting the course of justice
He was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison.
