Our world is now a safer place, says Catherine Gowing's sister

Emma Gowing led the tributes to her sister Catherine outside court today after a serial sex offender was jailed for life today for the rape and murder of the Offaly vet.

Clive Sharp (aged 46) harboured fantasies of imprisoning and killing women to satisfy his sexual desires before the murder of his victim, Mold Crown Court heard.

Sharp left one woman tied to a bed after she refused his demands, then hours later killed his victim.

He crept into the house of Miss Gowing in the dead of night before tying her to the bed and repeatedly raping her.

And in a further “callous act” after killing his victim, he mutilated her by dismembering the body.

Sharp had twice been jailed for sex offences before he attacked Miss Gowing.

In a statement, Emma Gowing said: “Truth is truth. The facts are the facts. Our humanity shines when we conduct ourselves with kindness, with integrity, when we speak the truth.

“Catherine, my sister, was brutally murdered. That is a fact.

“Catherine conducted her life with kindness, with compassion, with integrity. That is the truth.

“The book of evidence painstakingly compiled by North Wales Police was based entirely on the facts. It resulted in a guilty plea by the defendant.

“That is a good thing.

“Our world is now a safer place, Catherine is happy that this is so.

“Catherine was an exceptional woman. She lived her life spreading compassion and love.

“She conducted her life in accordance with this quote from Albert Pine, ’what we do for ourselves dies with us, what we do for others and the world is and remains immortal’.

“She was our light; she shone very brightly and enriched the lives of all she encountered, all God’s creatures.

“That light is gone from our world.

“It now shines elsewhere.”

A further tribute was paid on behalf of the victim’s whole family. It said: “We thank the police of North Wales for their diligence, dedication, integrity and professionalism in dealing with Catherine’s murder.

“We thank the community of Flintshire, North Wales and our home community of Kinnitty, Co Offaly for their kindness and continued support.

“Justice has been served today.”

Emmalyne Downing, Crown Advocate for the Crown Prosecution Service, Wales, added: “Only Clive Sharp can truly know what motivated him to commit such a distressing and brutal act.

“What is beyond doubt is that the effects of his actions will continue to be felt by Catherine’s family and friends for years to come. Our thoughts are with them.”