Father of murdered schoolgirl sentenced for assault on wife

THE father of murdered British schoolgirl Sarah Payne was given a community order of 24 months and ordered to pay £400 (€585) compensation yesterday after he admitted assaulting the girl’s mother.

Michael Payne was charged after the attack on Sara, from whom he separated 18 months ago, at her home last month, and was convicted days later.

Payne, aged 36, of Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, also admitted criminal damage to a moped on the same occasion.