kerry bauer/emma last/steven wood Domestic Homicide in Braintree

Two women, Kerry Bauer and Emma Last, received life sentences for their involvement in the murder of 17-year-old Debra Carne.

The victim was tragically killed after being doused in petrol and set ablaze during a dispute over a boyfriend.

Kerry Bauer, aged 21 from Braintree, Essex, was sentenced to a minimum term of 17 years after being convicted of murder.

Emma Last, aged 19 from Braintree, had previously pleaded guilty to the murder.

Additionally, Steven Wood, aged 23 from Halstead, Essex, was sentenced to eight years after being acquitted of murder but found guilty of manslaughter following a six-week trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Nicole Hollinshead, also 19 from Halstead, received a five-year sentence for conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm.

The presiding judge, Mr.

Justice Nelson, described Carne's death as horrific and noted that the motive behind the killing was apparently trivial and inexplicable.

He also stated, 'For teenagers and people in their 20s to have lovers' quarrels is entirely common but for such quarrels to result in murder is thankfully extremely uncommon.' The judge highlighted that each offender was drawn into a plan to murder Debra Carne, who had done nothing more than become the focus of Steven Wood's affections, possibly influenced by alcohol, cannabis, or a failure to distinguish fantasy from reality.