Man jailed for life over woman's 'brutal' murder

Karen Youdell is described as someone who was "vibrant" and could "light up a room"

A man who "brutally" murdered a woman and then enlisted the help of his sisters to help cover it up has been jailed.

Karen Youdell, 50, was found in a comatose state after being attacked by Dean Johnstone, 44, in the garden of his house in Newton Heath, Manchester, on the morning of 29 July 2023.

Johnstone was originally charged with attempted murder but Ms Youdell died in hospital a year after the attack and he later pleaded guilty to her murder, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.

He was given a life sentence and ordered to spend a minimum of 17 years and six months in prison.

He also admitted the non-fatal strangulation of Lois Drinkwater, his then partner, who he attacked at her home hours after killing Ms Youdell.

Manchester Crown Court heard Ms Youdell was found unconscious outside the house on Rosebank Road, with her body "staged to look like she had been drinking and had fallen over".

Dean Johnstone will spent at least 17 years and six months in jail

She had "horrendous injuries" including a bleed to the brain, broken ribs, bruising to her stomach and a fractured jaw, GMP said.

Marks on her body indicated she was hit with a weapon, possibly a wooden broom handle that was found broken at the scene.

After the attack Johnstone called his sister Lisa Johnstone who came round to the house with her partner Glen Nelson.

She then called their other sister, Yvonne Johnstone, and the two women called emergency services, saying they had just found Ms Youdell slumped in the garden.

Dean Johnstone's sister Lisa tried to help her brother cover up the murder

Ms Youdell was taken to hospital and was in a coma but never recovered.

In a joint tribute, her daughters Leanne and Olivia described their mum as someone who could "light up a room with her infectious smile, her giddy laugh, and her dancing".

"We had to lose our mum twice and our final memories are of her in a vegetative state—so far removed from the vibrant woman she once was," they said.

'Repeatedly lied'

Lisa Johnstone, 46, Glen Nelson, 41, and Yvonne Johnstone, 47 - all of Manchester - each admitted perverting the course of justice.

Lisa Johnstone and Glen Nelson were each jailed for three years and four months, and Yvonne Johnstone was jailed for two years and three months.

Det Ch Insp Michelle Buchanan said: "This was a brutal, violent attack where Dean Johnstone's co-conspirators have repeatedly lied in a bid to cover up their crimes.

"Our investigation proved they were lying and they will now have time to reflect on their actions – hopefully we have been able to bring justice and some form of closure for the family."