Drug Dealer Jailed for Life for Torture and Murder of Girlfriend – Shannon Grant, a 27-year-old drug dealer, was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his 40-year-old girlfriend, Natasha Morais. The gruesome crime took place in Whetstone, Leicester, where Morais’ naked body was found hidden in a storage compartment under her bed. Grant, who had been in an intimate relationship with Morais, was initially charged with her murder but denied the accusations, claiming that an armed gang of masked men had killed her during a robbery. However, the jury found him guilty on the count of murder, and he was also found guilty of possessing an illegal shotgun with a shortened barrel. The judge sentenced him to life with a minimum of 34 years before he is considered for parole.
Grant’s criminal history, which includes five convictions for ten offenses, showcases a pattern of violence from a young age. His extensive history of violence, combined with the meticulous planning and execution of Morais’ murder, led the judge to set the starting point of his sentence at 30 years. The judge noted that Grant exploited Morais’ vulnerability, taking advantage of her grief following the death of her friend Rueben Craven. He tied her up, beat and burned her, and then strangled her to death in her own home. Afterward, he disposed of her body under the mattress of her bed.
The case also highlighted Grant’s manipulation of Morais’ phone to send messages to her mother and brother, claiming she had been fined and had gone to the police station. This was part of his attempt to cover up the murder and divert attention away from himself. The judge noted that Grant’s actions were premeditated and showed a significant amount of thought and planning.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of violence and the importance of justice in ensuring that those who commit such heinous crimes are held accountable.
What evidence was presented in the courtroom to convict Shannon Grant?
The evidence presented in the courtroom to convict Shannon Grant included:
- CCTV Footage: Grant was caught on CCTV buying cable ties in a shop hours before the murder, which was used to tie up, beat, and strangle Natasha Morais.
Murder Scene Evidence: At Morais’s flat, police found her naked body in the storage area under her bed. This was where Grant had hidden her after the murder. - Weapons and Personal Items: During Grant’s arrest in Coventry, police found a sawn-off shotgun, a crowbar with Morais’ blood on it, her watch, and her bank card. Additionally, a tool that had been heated up and used to burn Morais’s arms was discovered.
- Grant’s Admission and Motive: Grant admitted to being a drug dealer and that he, Morais, and her former boyfriend, Reuben Craven, had been planning to use the flat as a base for selling cocaine. This was revealed as part of his defense, but the jury found his story about a gang of armed men unconvincing.
- Aggravating Factors: The prosecution highlighted that the violence was for gain, pre-meditated, and involved significant mental and physical suffering, as well as sadistic intent. The “horrific” burns caused during the torture were cited as particularly aggravating.
This comprehensive evidence, including the CCTV footage, the discovery of Morais’s body, and the weapons and personal items found at the scene, along with Grant’s own admissions and the aggravating factors of the crime, led to his conviction for the murder of Natasha Morais.
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