EDWARD RICHARDSON SENTENCED FOR MURDER IN BIDDULPH

Edward Richardson, 41, of Mayfield Road, Biddulph, has been convicted of murdering his estranged wife, Sarah Richardson. The tragic event took place on 12 May 2008 at her parents' residence in Brown Lees, Staffordshire. Court proceedings revealed that Richardson became "enraged" after Sarah altered her Facebook marital status to "single." In response, he decided to visit her home, breaking a window to gain entry. Inside, he encountered Sarah in her bedroom and carried out a frenzied and brutal knife attack. Following the assault, Richardson attempted to take his own life. He was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 17 years. Fiona Cortese, speaking on behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service, explained: "Richardson became enraged when Sarah changed her marital status on Facebook to single and decided to go and see her as she was not responding to his messages. He gained entry by breaking the front door window and made his way into the property. Once inside, he found Sarah in her bedroom and subjected her to a frenzied and brutal attack with a knife and then attempted to take his own life." Sarah, a 26-year-old hairdresser, was mourned by her parents, Beryl and Alan Boote, who said: "There simply aren't the words to describe how Sarah's death has affected us. She was honest, loyal, and sweet, and everyone loved her."