Paul O’Hara sentenced to life for murdering Cherylee Shennan

Paul O’Hara

Paul O’Hara, 43, from Heywood, has been sentenced to a full life term in prison for the murder of Cherylee Shennan – his former partner.

O’Hara of Honiton Close, Heywood, admitted to the murder of Cherylee, from Rawtenstall, when he appeared at Preston Crown Court.

During an appearance in court today (Monday 30 June), O’Hara also admitted charges of section 18 wounding and assault with intent to resist arrest. This was relating to attacks on police officers who had been called to the address.

He was jailed for ten years for the attack on Detective Sergeant Damien McAlister and a further two years for the assault on Detective Constable Karen Kenworthy. These will run concurrent to the whole life term.

Sentencing, the recorder of Preston, His Honour Judge Russell QC commended the bravery of the two officers.

Cherylee Shennan

Ms Shennan, 40, who owned a furniture store and beauty salon, was attacked and killed in the street outside of her home on the afternoon of Monday 17 March.

She died at the scene and a post mortem revealed that she died of multiple stab wounds.

O’Hara was arrested nearby a short time later.

Detective Supt Eddie Thistlethwaite, of Lancashire Constabulary’s Force Major Investigation Team, led the inquiry. He said: “This was a truly horrendous incident which cost a young woman her life.

“O’Hara is a predatory and violent individual who manipulated his victims, including Cherylee, preying on their craving for love and attention. He has shown no or little remorse throughout this process and his actions fully justify the sentence which has been imposed.

“I would like to thank the Crown Prosecution Service and Counsel for all of their hard work which has resulted in today’s guilty pleas. O’Hara’s admission has at least spared the families the ordeal of having to re-live these tragic events through a trial.

“I would also like to praise the bravery of all police officers, PCSOs, and paramedics who attended what was a horrific scene. Special thanks must go to Detective Sergeant Damien McAlister and Detective Constable Karen Kenworthy who fought with O’Hara in the vain attempt to save the life of Cherylee.

“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family and friends of Cherylee. They have shown enormous dignity and bravery throughout this ordeal.”

O’Hara was previously jailed for murder in 1998 and released in 2013 just months before he killed Ms Shennan.

In a statement released by the family of Cherylee, they said: “Our family has been torn apart and tormented by this tragedy and our lives will never be the same again.

“Cherylee will always be loved and we will hold cherished memories forever in our hearts. She will never be forgotten by her family, friends and all that knew her.

“Cherylee was a precious and much-loved mum, daughter to Betty and Tommy and special step-daughter to Karen and Johnny, sister to Chiyvonne, Ellen, Jordan, Declan and Toni and special aunty to Keilan. She was a life-long partner to Graham and adoring owner of her five beloved Akita dogs Chan, Diva, Billy, Trooper and Mia.

“She was easy to get along with and used to be laughing all the time, everything was a joke even when she used her family as guinea pigs for her potions at her beauty salon. She was very clever and owned her own businesses, a beauty salon and furniture shop. She loved to experiment with cooking and was famous for her cheesecake and bonfire night food which was fabulous.

“Everyone would go to Chez when they had a problem or anything and wanted guidance and she was always there, now this has been taken away from us all.

“We would like to thank everyone for their support throughout this time and a special thanks to Lancashire police, particularly the officers who tried desperately to save Cherylee’s life and the family liaison officers Ian and Sam for their continued support.

“We would now ask that we are given privacy to try to continue to come to terms with our loss.”