Gary George, 41, was today given a sentence of 30 years for killing his friend, Andrew Nall, in a manner said to be inspired by the film The Loved Ones. "This was a cruel and vicious attack. It was also a sadistic attack. I am satisfied that in behaving in the way you did, you were aping the conduct in a film of which you were obsessed," said Judge Elgan Edwards at Chester Crown Court.
Nall, 53, was found dead at his Chester flat on August 30 last year. A third party, Christine Holleran, also stood trial for the murder but was cleared by the jury. Her testimony helped to convict George.
George was described as being obsessed with horror films. Prior to being killed, Nall was tortured over a period of time and had a wound carved into his stomach which was then covered with salt. This was compared to an injury inflicted in The Loved Ones, a satirical horror film which tells the story of a spoiled teenage girl and her indulgent father trying to force a young man to fit into her prom fantasy. Part of the film was played in court and the judge expressed his displeasure at having to watch it.
"The cruel and callous way in which Andrew died leaves us unable to feel anything other than utter contempt for his killer," said the victim's family, noting that George had also made false allegations about Nall in an attempt to justify the murder.
