David William Tiley

Case record: David William Tiley

Background

David William Tiley was born in 1960. In 1995, he received a six-year jail term for rape offences. After his release, he returned to prison three times for failing to inform police of his whereabouts, a compulsory procedure for all sex offenders.

Earlier in 2007, it was reported that the European Court of Human Rights was reviewing whole life sentencing to determine whether it amounted to a violation of human rights. Should the European Court outlaw whole life sentencing, then Tiley and all other prisoners serving such sentences would have their cases recalled to court for new minimum terms to be set.

Hampshire Police confirmed that Tiley, who had previously served a prison sentence for rape offences, was being monitored as a sex offender and that a review of what had happened before the murders was now under way.

The offence

David Tiley murdered his disabled fiancée Susan Hale and, a week later, her carer Sarah Merritt at Ms Hale’s flat in Southampton in March 2007.

Susan Hale suffered from cerebellar ataxia, a rare degenerative brain disorder which caused her difficulties in walking.

The court was told that Tiley lived with Mrs Hale’s body in the flat they shared in Meggeson Avenue for more than a week after he killed her. He killed Mrs Hale by stabbing her four times.

Susan Hale was last seen alive on 5 March. Tiley admitted killing Mrs Hale between 5 March and 16 March.

Tiley later murdered Sarah Merritt on 15 March. Eight days after Susan Hale’s death, her carer Mrs Merritt attended the flat for a regular appointment in which she normally helped Mrs Hale to bathe.

The court was told that Tiley tied her up and took her cash card to withdraw £150 from a nearby supermarket cashpoint. He later returned to rape her and stab her twice.

Sarah Merritt was murdered a week after the killing of Susan Hale. Tiley admitted killing Mrs Merritt on 15 March.

Investigation

The police discovered the bodies at Susan Hale’s flat in Southampton on 15 March. Tiley was arrested in Swanage on 17 March, two days after the discovery.

Trial

The case was heard at Winchester Crown Court. On 14 June 2007, Tiley admitted killing both Susan Hale and Sarah Merritt at his trial.

During sentencing, Mr Justice Irwin told Tiley:

"The brutality and evil of what you did defies adequate description.
The only appropriate order in this case is that there should be a whole life order.
The only proper punishment for you is that you must never be released."

Nick Hawkins, prosecuting, said Tiley told police he killed Mrs Hale after an argument on 7 March during which she “taunted” him about something in his past.

Sentencing

On 14 June 2007, Tiley was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Outcome

Tiley was told he would spend the rest of his life in jail.

In a victim impact statement to the court, Mrs Merritt’s husband, Peter, 41, from Southampton, said:

"Sarah didn't do anything to deserve such an end to her life. I was truly robbed by this man that day.
He robbed me of my future with the most caring and beautiful woman I have ever met."

On behalf of Mrs Hale’s family of five grown-up sons, one of them, David Chopra, said that the “horrific details” of what had happened to his mother and Mrs Merritt had “shocked them to the core”.

Timeline

• 5 March 2007 — Susan Hale was last seen alive.
• 7 March 2007 — An argument took place during which Susan Hale “taunted” Tiley about something in his past.
• 15 March 2007 — Sarah Merritt attended the flat for a regular appointment; Sarah Merritt was murdered; the bodies were found at Susan Hale’s flat.
• 16 March 2007 — Tiley admitted killing Susan Hale between 5 March and 16 March.
• 17 March 2007 — Tiley was arrested in Swanage.
• 14 June 2007 — Tiley admitted killing Susan Hale and Sarah Merritt and was sentenced to life imprisonment; Mr Justice Irwin imposed a whole life order.

Other details

The court stated that Susan Hale was 49 and Sarah Merritt was 39. Tiley was 47 at the time of sentencing. Tiley stabbed Susan Hale four times. Tiley later raped and stabbed Sarah Merritt twice.

The flat address mentioned was Meggeson Avenue, Southampton.

Tiley took Sarah Merritt’s cash card to withdraw £150 from a nearby supermarket cashpoint.