30 years' jail for 'callous' killer of elderly couple

A FAILED businessman who murdered an elderly couple in cold blood for their money yesterday began a 30-year prison sentence.

Debt-ridden Odai Salah, 29, stabbed and suffocated disabled Maurece Smith and stabbed his partner, Rosemary Windle, both 71, in January this year.

The Glasgow Caledonian University PhD student was 170,000 in debt and was being chased by creditors.

In desperation, Salah went to the couple's flat in Torquay, Devon, and, unable to convince them to part with cash, he killed them.

He then took their cheque books and credit cards. He even went back to their flat at least twice to ensure he was still in the clear to use them.

The victims' families, police and the judge all condemned Salah, who stood expressionless in the dock at Exeter Crown Court as the judge, Mr Justice Jack, told him he would serve a minimum 30 years' imprisonment for the double murder.

"I am satisfied the reason for killing Maurece Smith and Rosemary Windle was to get at their money," the judge said.

"You have been shown during this case to have lived a life of considerable dishonesty.

"Hearing you give evidence was to hear lie after lie, with you always having a keen eye on the ambit of the evidence.

"The manner in which you gave your evidence was always of complete callousness. You have shown no shame for the many dishonesties you committed.

"I come to the conclusion that you are devoid of any morality."