Elizabeth McCann: Simon Goold jailed for at least 35 years for murdering fellow student in Manchester

A man who killed a ‘vulnerable’ woman he met on a college course in Tameside has today been jailed for life.

Simon Goold, 52, of Manchester Road, Ashton under Lyne, met Elizabeth McCann when they attended the same class at the local Health and Wellbeing College. He later invited her to a pub in the town but proceeded to ply her with alcohol and then sexually assaulted her during a taxi ride to his flat.

Once inside his flat, Goold raped and sexually assaulted Elizabeth before he strangled her to death, taking photos and video of the young woman, who was described as vulnerable. He handed himself in at a police station the next day but did not plead guilty to her murder and rape until the second day of his trial this week at Manchester Crown Court.

Elizabeth was previously described as a ‘very happy and bubbly young lady’ by her family in a tribute after her death in August last year.

Speaking after sentencing, Craig Cleminson of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Simon Goold deliberately plied Elizabeth McCann with alcoholic drinks over a short period of time, before taking her back to his flat with the intention of taking advantage of her vulnerable state for his own sexual gratification.

“Throughout the case he claimed that Elizabeth had given her full consent to all that happened to her and that he had not intended to cause her harm. But on the second day of the trial he eventually pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting, raping and murdering her.

“I cannot begin to imagine the sense of loss Elizabeth’s family are experiencing; I would like to express my condolences to them. Nothing can bring her back, but I hope they take some comfort that Goold has been brought to justice for taking her away from them.”