‘Her entire family is devastated by the tragic loss of a truly remarkable young woman’
A man has admitted to the murder of a 21-year-old woman found deceased in a residence in West Yorkshire. The young woman, identified as Courtney Angus, was discovered at a property on Norfolk Street in Batley last July.
Michael Doherty, previously known as Michael Moore, entered a guilty plea to her murder at Leeds Crown Court on Monday, January 26. The 37-year-old, residing on Norfolk Street in Batley, also confessed to theft and three instances of menacing another person with a knife or sharp object.
Courtney had been staying at Doherty’s residence for several days prior to the lethal assault. The day after the attack, Doherty reportedly engaged in a spree of violence across Dewsbury, robbing stores and threatening employees.
Doherty denied charges related to possession of a blade and affray. Judge Tom Bayliss KC, addressing Doherty, stated: “You have pleaded guilty to the murder of Courtney Angus.
“The sentence for murder is fixed by law – it is life imprisonment, but the judge who eventually sentences you will have to set the minimum term before you can be considered for parole.
“That sentence will be before another judge on another date, and in the meantime you will be remanded in custody.”
West Yorkshire Police said that following reports of an armed robbery at Asda in Dewsbury at 9.20pm on July 26 last year, they arrested Doherty. Following the arrest, Doherty told the officers about a woman who he believed to be dead at an address on Norfolk Street.