A man who murdered a New Zealand woman after she disturbed him stealing computers in a London office has been jailed for life.
Cathy Marlow, 28, from Hawke's Bay, had gone to work on a Saturday in January last year to catch up with some work after returning from holiday.
But she disturbed Matthew Fagan, 33, who had returned to his former workplace in south London to steal laptops, nine months after being sacked for incompetence.
London's Old Bailey court was told that Fagan, an American national, strangled Miss Marlow with a scarf that her mother had knitted for her, before dumping her body in a shower cubicle.
On Tuesday, Judge Brian Barker jailed Fagan for a minimum term of 26 years, before he is eligible for parole.
Fagan was caught after detectives matched his profile to DNA found under Miss Marlow's fingernails. He claimed in court that he left Miss Marlow alive with his accomplice as he left the building.
The head of the murder inquiry, Detective Chief Inspector Damian Allain, said Fagan displayed extreme callousness in his actions. Having killed Miss Marlow, he still went on to steal several laptops and her handbag, Mr Allain said.
Miss Marlow's father, Bernie, attended the sentencing and said though the verdict will bring some closure, it will not bring Catherine back.
Mr Marlow said she lives in her family's hearts and minds every day.
