Colne man given life sentence for “savage” candlestick murder

Wayne Mackie will serve a minimum term of 15 years for the killing of Steven Sheppard in the living room of an address on Portland Street, Colne.

The victim was said to have been kicked, stamped upon and beaten with a brass candlestick at the home where Mackie was then living with his girlfriend last October.

However, the jury at the Preston Crown Court trial cleared Donna Harrison (35) who was alleged to have encouraged Mackie in his violence by claiming Mr Sheppard was a paedophile.

The woman, of Beech Street, Padiham was found not guilty or murder and an alternative of manslaughter.