UK National News - Charlotte Pinkney killer receives life sentence

17 February 2005

Charlotte Pinkney killer receives life sentence

A scaffolder has received a life sentence for the murder of Devon teenager Charlotte Pinkney.

Nicolas Rose, 23, from Ilfracombe, Devon, was found guilty of the murder of the 16-year-old at Exeter Crown Court last week. Judge Graham Cottle said that he must serve a minimum of 20 years in jail.

Charlotte's body has never been found.

Mr Rose met Charlotte at a house party in Ilfracombe in February last year. She was last seen at around 4:30am on the morning of February 28, getting into a borrowed car that was driven by Rose.

Rose claimed that he did not see Miss Pinkney again after he dropped her off outside a community centre in Ilfracombe. He also denied having a sexual relationship with her.

However, prosecutor, Paul Dunkels, QC told the court that Rose had probably killed Charlotte after arguing about sex.

Charlotte's blood was found on the carpet in the boot of the car Rose was driving, the jury was told. Her blood was also discovered on the roof lining of the car and on the tongue of one of Rose's trainers.

The judge said that Rose's concealment of the body was the most "aggravating feature" of the case for Miss Pinkney's family, because it denied them the opportunity of giving her a proper funeral.

Following the verdict, Charlotte's divorced parents, Robert Pinkney and Sara McKee, issued a statement that said "no punishment will ever fit this terrible crime."

(KMcA/SP)