The story
A murderer who raped and killed a “vulnerable” elderly woman in her own home will spend at least 32 years behind bars.
Craig Keogh, 26, was sentenced after being found guilty of twice raping and smothering Jane Hings with a pillow in her home.
He also stole jewellery she was wearing, including the wedding band from her ring finger.
Keogh had denied the charges but it took a jury sitting at Birmingham Crown Court just four hours to find him guilty.
Mrs Hings lived alone in Elizabeth Road, Fleckney, with her dog Paddy.
To read a full live blog which covered the sentencing, click here.
How I got the story
Since her body was found, the murder of Jane Hings was a story followed closely by the Leicester Mercury.
A colleague had covered a large chunk of the trial in Birmingham Crown Court up until the sentencing.
However, on the day of the sentencing he called in sick. So, my news editor called and asked if I could come in to the office early and set off to Birmingham Crown Court to cover it.
I came in, grabbed a copy of the paper containing the copy from when the jury returned its verdict, and read everything I could about it on the way to make sure I was up to speed.
I live blogged the sentencing, which was viewed 12,873 times with an average time of 4 minutes 23 seconds spent on the page.
Afterwards I spoke to a friend of Mrs Hings outside court and then put together a spread for the paper the next day.
Story links
What judge told rapist and murderer Craig Keogh
Tribute to Jane Hings from friend who attended the trial and sentencing
Jacob Jarvis 
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