Lawlor found guilty of murdering Dorothy Carre

A man who killed his partner and buried her in the cellar has been sentenced to life in prison to serve a minimum of 17 years before being eligible for parole at Manchester Crown Court today, Tuesday 30 October 2007.

Frederick Lawlor (29/05/53) of HMP Strangeways was convicted of the murder of Dorothy Carre, whose body was left undiscovered in the basement of a house in Equitable Street, Rochdale for eight years.

It was not until her family reported her missing in January 2006 that a police search was launched to trace her. Following detailed inquiries her body was discovered at an address in Equitable Street on Monday 12 March 2007.

Dorothy was last seen in March 1999 when she moved from her home in Bacup, Lancashire, to Equitable Street in Rochdale.

At the time she was in a relationship with Lawlor, who she had been living with for around four years. Her family did not approve of the relationship as they had noticed her becoming increasingly withdrawn and were concerned that he was abusing her.

In 1997 Dorothy and Lawlor moved from their home in Oldham to Bacup in Lancashire. Dorothy did not tell her family where she was going and was reported missing. When police traced her in Bacup she said she did not want her family to know where she was.

She lived in Bacup until 1999. Family and friends living in the area reported their suspicions that Lawlor was abusing her and, during a visit to the doctor in March 1999, she complained of physical abuse from Lawlor. It was around this time that Lawlor moved away without her. However, a short time later they reconciled and she followed him to his new address on Equitable Street in Rochdale, the last place she was seen alive.

The family were concerned that they had not heard from her but decided to respect the wishes she had expressed in 1997. However, in 2001 when they still had not heard from Dorothy, they contacted Lawlor's family who told them Dorothy had left him for another man.

In January 2006 the family became concerned again and contacted the police who launched an investigation to trace Dorothy. They tried the usual routes of checking housing and social security agencies but no trace was found.

Officers spoke to Lawlor who said Dorothy had moved to Southern Ireland in 1999. He said he had seen her in 2003 and she claimed to have a new partner North Wales, although she was still living in Ireland. At no time did Lawlor mention the address in Equitable Street.

When the investigation was referred to officers from the Major Incident Team in November 2006, they started to delve into more detail in Lawlor's past.

They discovered, within months of the last sighting of Dorothy, Lawlor had moved to Bolton and met another woman. The woman reported seeing a benefits book belonging to Dorothy Carre at Lawlor's address. Lawlor told her he had been Dorothy's carer before she moved to Ireland.

On 28 February 2007 officers searched Dorothy's last known address at Equitable Street in Rochdale. During the search police discovered that the flag stones in the cellar were uneven and cracked, indicating they may have been lifted.

On 12 March 2007 scientists and archaeologists examined the address and discovered human remains wrapped in a duvet cover. The remains were later identified as Dorothy Carre.

A forensic examination revealed that Dorothy had died as a result of multiple stab wounds.

On Monday 19 March 2007 Lawlor was arrested in prison, where he was serving a sentence in connection with another matter. He was questioned about Dorothy's disappearance and again gave an account about her going to Ireland. However, when it was revealed that Dorothy's remains were found in a house in Equitable Street, he refused to answer any further questions.

On 22 March 2007 Lawlor was charged with Dorothy's murder.

Detective Inspector Dave Lever, Senior Investigating Officer for the Dorothy Carre murder, said: "This was a horrific incident. Frederick Lawlor callously killed Dorothy Carre and disposed of her body in the basement of his rented house.

"For eight years her family had to go through the hell of not knowing where she was or what had happened to her, while Lawlor just carried on with his life.

"I hope the family can now find some comfort in the fact that Dorothy has been finally laid to rest and that Lawlor held accountable for his crime.

"It would appear that in the final years of her life, Lawlor physically abused Dorothy, taking her away from her family and isolating her from everyone she loved. I would encourage anyone who is currently suffering domestic abuse at the hands of a partner to seek the help they need and get away from their abuser before anything like this is allowed to happen again."

Lawlor is already serving an indeterminate sentence for sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl and offering her for sex with other men while he watched and filmed them.

In April last year he admitted 18 sex offences involving the girl on beaches in North Wales.

The judge in that case said Lawlor had abused the girl on at least 75 occasions and described the acts as among the "most evil and unpleasant" the court had come across.

As well as offering her for sex to men he met on beaches at Pensarn and Llanddulas, at his flat and in a car, he advertised in a listings magazine.

The young victim said she was abused by around 50 men, with 10 people so far convicted in connection with the case.

The court also heard Lawlor had two previous convictions for physically abusing former girlfriends.

The jury were not told of his convictions until they had given their verdict. Lawlor will be sentenced later.