Teenager killed and set alight

TWO women were facing life imprisonment yesterday for murdering a 17-year-old girl by dousing her in petrol and setting her alight after becoming embroiled in a row about a boyfriend.

Debra Carne's body was left burning in an isolated lay-by late at night near her home in Sible Hedingham, Essex, on July 28, 2002.

Tests showed she had been asphyxiated possibly as a result of a headlock - before being set alight.Kerry Bauer, now aged 21, of Braintree, Essex, was convicted of murder by a jury sitting at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Earlier, Emma Last, now 18, also of Braintree, admitted the murder. A third defendant, Steven Wood, now aged 23, of Halstead, Essex, was found guilty of manslaughter, but acquitted of murder, and a fourth defendant, Nicole Hollinshead, now aged 19, also of Halstead, was acquitted of murder and found guilty of conspiracy to inflict grievous bodily harm.During the six-week trial it had been alleged the three teenage girls plus the man at the centre of the row, murdered Miss Carne, then burned her belongings.

After the guilty verdict Debra's father, Roger Carne, said:

"Debra was lured to her death by a man who four days before had said he loved her. She was murdered and burned while this man sat in his car and did nothing.

"Who will ever understand this abhorrent act of evil?"