Whitehaven man to serve at least 32 years behind bars for murder of Tiffany Render

A man who murdered a mother-of-seven in a violent sex attack has been told he must serve at least 32 years behind bars.

Paul Irwin, 50, was high on cocaine and had been drinking lager before killing 34-year-old Tiffany Render at his flat on 22 March.

Carlisle Crown Court heard how, at that time, Irwin was subject to a suspended jail term for previous domestic violence against Miss Render.

Last July, he had struck her repeatedly with a heavy wooden rolling pin, also slapping and strangling her.

Weeks before his attack, Irwin was twice arrested, bailed and banned from contacting Miss Render for other alleged abuse as he exercised full control over her life.

In late February she told police Irwin had kicked her after sinking 18 beers as she lay outside his property in the dead of night.

On 4 March, Miss Render reported Irwin repeatedly threatening her by phone while drunk. Officer bodycam footage captured her on a call with Irwin, and reporting his vows to “batter” and knock her out.

Days later she obtained safe accommodation but — despite Irwin’s bail conditions — continued to stay at his flat in Whitehaven, which she visited on 22 March.

Just before midnight, Irwin called 999 and said he believed Miss Render was dead. Paramedics attended and found her unresponsive, surrounded by blood-soaked bedding. She was pronounced dead by a doctor.

“The severe force which caused the injury led to almost immediate bleeding and Miss Render bled to death inside this defendant’s home,” said Iain Simkin KC, prosecuting.

A Home Office pathologist concluded that pouring blood loss from a terrible injury would have led to her collapsing within 20 minutes and death inside an hour at the latest. She died from a haemorrhage.

Irwin, of George Street, Whitehaven, denied murder but was convicted, unanimously, by a jury who heard evidence of his violence.

He was sentenced on Tuesday having also admitted sexual assaulting her.

“She was without doubt, an extremely vulnerable woman who was emotionally and psychologically trapped inside an aggressive, violent and controlling relationship,” said Mr Simkin, “and it was against that background that this defendant murdered her.”

In one text to Irwin, Miss Render had said: “If you did love me, you wouldn’t hurt me again and again and again.”

Impact statements revealed she was a mother to seven children cared for by her family; also a sister, a loving auntie, a niece and a cousin.

“The heartbreak is unbearable,” stated her mother, Hazel Marginson. “No parent should ever have to go through this. No parent should ever have to bury a child. This will haunt me for the rest of my life. I am a changed woman forever.”

One of Miss Render’s sisters, Caroline, called the impact on their family “devastating”, saying of Irwin: “Tiffany’s caring nature shone through until his cowardly behaviour took her life from us.” Caroline added: “Tiffany had a heart of gold.”

Another sister, Gemma, said: “The actions and consequences of the defendant’s actions have wreaked havoc through our entire family. The sudden and tragic loss of our Tiffany is something that as a family will haunt us forever more.”

Gemma added: “Mr Irwin, by his despicable actions and selfish, jealous behaviour has given our family a life sentence of sadness and trauma. Tiffany was a bright, bubbly, clever and oh-so-loving person. We will miss her massively for the rest of our lives.”

Peter Glenser KC, mitigating for Irwin, said: “He didn’t intend to kill her. He is truly remorseful.”

Mrs Justice Foster accepted it had not been a pre-planned attack. The judge imposed a mandatory life sentence, ruling that Irwin should serve a minimum of 32 years in prison before being considered for parole.

“She was an extremely vulnerable woman and your treatment of her increased that vulnerability,” Mrs Justice Foster told Irwin. “Your history of attacks while drunk reveals a cycle of alcohol, violence, regret.”

The judge added: “Her appalling injuries were caused by your actions. Only you know the full detail of what happened in that flat.”

Irwin must sign the sex offenders’ register for life.

Detective Constable Lisa Baker said: “I am pleased that Paul Irwin has been convicted of the murder of Tiffany Render and that he will now spend a significant amount of time in prison for what he did.

“This is a tragic loss of a life, and no one should have to suffer at the hands of their partner in such a horrific way.

“My thoughts remain with Tiffany’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.

“We know that no sentence passed will be able to bring Tiffany back, but I do hope that the sentence passed today can go some way in giving them some sort of closure knowing that Irwin is now behind bars for what he did to Tiffany."

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