Killers jailed for life for sadistic murder

Jun 27 2009 The Journal

THREE killers were given long sentences yesterday for “sadistically” murdering a former County Durham teenager in a re-enactment of a scene from a spoof horror film.

Simon Everitt, 17, of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, was tied to a tree, doused in petrol then burned alive, Norwich Crown Court was told.

A judge yesterday imposed three life sentences on his killers.

Mr Justice Calvert-Smith said Jonathan Clarke, 20, of Telford, Shropshire, would remain in prison for at least 27 years before being considered for parole.

He said Jimi-Lee Stewart, 25, of Great Yarmouth, would serve a minimum term of 22 years.

And the judge said Maria Chandler, 40, also of Great Yarmouth, would stay in jail for at least 17 years.

The three defendants were convicted of murder in May after a trial in Norwich. All three had denied murder.

Jurors were told Simon, who had moved to Norfolk from Barnard Castle five years ago, was targeted after going out with a woman who had been in a relationship with Clarke.

The teenager, who had previously been “given a good kicking” by Clarke, was lured to his death and subjected to a “mock trial” before being set alight.

The court heard the three killers had tried to cover their tracks and throw police off the trail.