Carpet fitter faces murder charge after girlfriend’s body dumped by roadside
Argument ends in tragedy
Darren Hall, 36, a carpet fitter from Ilkeston, Derbyshire, stands accused of murdering his girlfriend, Sarah Henshaw, 31. The shocking case is unfolding at Derby Crown Court. Hall claims Sarah died accidentally after falling down stairs during a heated argument on June 20.
Body dumped miles away
In a panicked move, Hall admitted to moving Sarah’s body 20 miles away to a lay-by on the A617 near Chesterfield. He didn’t try to hide her remains and even used her phone to send texts, trying to fake that she was still alive before ditching her phone and clothes.
Prosecution fights back
The Crown argues Hall strangled Sarah and then “callously dumped” her body. But Hall insists her death was a tragic accident after she pushed him down the stairs and fell. He told the court, “She was in a pile at the bottom of the stairs… not moving.” He admitted regretting not calling for help because he feared murder accusations.
Discovery and ongoing trial
Police arrested Hall on June 23. A search led to the grim discovery of Sarah’s body near the lay-by. The trial continues under Mr Justice Goss, with prosecutor Michelle Heeley KC challenging Hall’s account.