Man who murdered disabled Harrogate woman and tried to burn her body in an incinerator bin is sentenced to life imprisonment

An evil monster who killed a disabled woman before trying to burn her body in an incinerator bin in attempts to 'discard her like a piece of trash' has been jailed for 16 years.
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Callous Dale Tarbox was handed a life sentence today (Thursday) for the murder of Susan Howells, a disabled and vulnerable woman from Harrogate who was known to visit and stay at the house he shared with his partner, Joan Arnold.

A court heard Tarbox had known Ms Howells since 2012 and that he had been "using" her in an on-off sexual relationship.

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Keith Wadsworth, 61, was also jailed for three years and seven months for assisting 40-year-old Tarbox in the disposal of Ms Howell's body.

Picture issued by West Yorkshire Police of Dale TarboxPicture issued by West Yorkshire Police of Dale Tarbox
Picture issued by West Yorkshire Police of Dale Tarbox

51-year-old Ms Howells, known as 'Susie' to family, was murdered at Tarbox's former house in Bradford following an argument in February last year, before being kept in a wheelie bin in the cellar for several weeks.

Leeds Crown Court heard Tarbox then attempted to burn her body in a metal incinerator bin using turpentine as an accelerant, then, when this did not work, moved it back into the wheelie bin where it remained until June, by which time he had vacated the property.

Wadsworth was then persuaded to help Tarbox retrieve Ms Howells' remains from the property and transport it to the caravan site in Doncaster where they were living as neighbours, where she was buried in a shallow grave behind Tarbox's partner Joan Arnold's caravan.

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Her zimmer frame, which she used to walk due to a disability, was discarded in nearby bushes.

Susan Howells, known as 'Susie'Susan Howells, known as 'Susie'
Susan Howells, known as 'Susie'

Ms Howells was reported missing in August 2019 and investigating officers visited the caravan site after learning she had been staying with Tarbox around the time of her disappearance.

A wheelie bin marked by Bradford Council was found containing a metal incinerator bin was recovered nearby in a touring caravan bought by Tarbox in the March, while the inside of the incinerator bin was found to have burned debris and clumps of human hair inside.

Police also found Tarbox, Arnold and Wadsworth had been withdrawing £3,500 in benefits money from Susan Howell’s account up until August 2019 together.

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Tarbox, who has previous convictions of violence - including against women - originally pleaded guilty to preventing a lawful burial of Ms Howells' body, but denied her murder claiming Arnold had killed her in an act of jealousy.

Family-issued picture of Susan HowellsFamily-issued picture of Susan Howells
Family-issued picture of Susan Howells

He was found guilty by a jury on Tuesday and sentenced in his absence today, after the court heard he refused to leave his cell.

Sentencing Tarbox, Recorder of Leeds Judge Guy Kearl QC said: "She was defenceless. You are younger, by far. Larger, by far and more powerful by far. She stood no chance of resisting.

"You showed her no mercy.

"You proceeded to attempt to cover your tracks in the most heartless and brutal way, seeking to deprive those who would miss her - her family, in particular - the opportunity of her fate, which compounds your lack of remorse."

Custody image of Keith Wadsworth, issued by West Yorkshire PoliceCustody image of Keith Wadsworth, issued by West Yorkshire Police
Custody image of Keith Wadsworth, issued by West Yorkshire Police
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A victim impact statement by Ms Howells' sister, Julie Chadburn, which was read out in court described how Tarbox and Wadsworth had "discarded her like a piece of trash".

She said: "It saddens me deeply to know that I will never be able to speak to her again and tell her I love her.

"The distress, pain and helplessness of not knowing what happened to Susie has been indescribable."

She added how she had been supporting her two elderly parents to "come to terms with something no no parent should have to".

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Tarbox was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 16 years for the murder. He also received a sentence of two years for preventing a lawful burial, which is to be served concurrently.

His Honour Judge Kearl said he would spend the rest of his life on licence.

Speaking after sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Vanessa Rolfe, said: “Susan regarded Tarbox as a close friend and someone she could trust, but he showed no regard for her - taking her life in a cold and callous way and then teaming up with Wadsworth to try and dispose of her body.

“He is clearly a dangerous individual and the people of West Yorkshire should feel safer knowing he will be behind bars for many years.”