Pair given life for Jason Bissell murder

Peter Hood and Joanne Griffiths. (s)

Matthew Bates

06 December. Updated: 06 December 11:04

THE COUPLE who murdered Coventry man Jason Bissell and dumped his body in a Stretton-under-Fosse lake have been sentenced to life in prison.
Joanne Griffiths was found guilty of the 39-year-old's death after her trial ended last month while Peter Hood admitted the killing.
They were sentenced to life on Monday at Birmingham Crown Court with Griffiths, 41, told she would serve a minimum of 28 years and Hood a minimum of 24 years.
Hood had changed his plea to guilty on what should have been the first day of his trial in October and agreed to give evidence against Griffiths.
Mr Justice Globe QC said there was a selfish and wicked motivation involved in the killing and in his view the murder was done for gain.
Mr Bissell, from the Coombe Fields area of Coventry, was repeatedly struck about the head with a hammer before duct tape was wrapped around his head and he was thrown into a fishing lake known as Lanny’s Lagoon at Stretton-under-Fosse on October 17 last year.
The jury heard how Hood and Griffiths - who planned to marry - plotted to remove Mr Bissell from their lives.
During a brief relationship with Griffiths, Mr Bissell had fathered a child and was anxious to have regular contact with his child.
The prosecution alleged the pair realised he was likely to be a feature in the child's life and started a campaign including ordering a Witch's spell over the internet to get rid of him.
Hood ordered malicious texts from a revenge website claiming to be able to make threats towards ex-partners without it being traceable. But when this failed, they planned his murder and lured him to his death.
His family released a statement after the verdict last month which described how he "was a bright and loving dad, son, brother and friend".
"His life was taken in an unbelievable way for trying to do what he knew was right. The actions of these people have ruined the lives of so many others and they will have that on their conscience forever.
"Jason’s family and friends would like to thank Warwickshire Police for their help and dedication to bringing these people to justice. We will always miss Jason."