Paul Culshaw

Culshaw was known to police, and had previous convictions for crimes including rape, attempted murder and indecent assault.

July 1985,  Culshaw, aged 15, broke into a 43-year-old woman's home at Up Holland and raped her, he received three and a half years in youth custody.

June 1988, Culshaw again got into a woman's home, this time a 27-year-old mother of two living in Skelmersdale. He sexually assaulted his victim at knife-point and then tried to strangle her with a belt.
He pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court  to attempted murder, indecent assault, wounding with intent and attempted burglary and was jailed for 10 years.

June 2004, 23-year-old, single mother, and heroin addict, Clare Benson-Jowry last seen alive, seen entering the flat of Culshaw on the Rylands estate.

15th July 2004, The naked remains of 23-year-old, Clare Benson-Jowry were found in a flat at Austwick Road, on the Rylands estate in Lancaster, she had been strangled with a shoe-lace, a fork had been used to tighten the ligature.
Culshaw allowed drug users to use the flat, where Claire was a frequent visitor.

 Friday 23rd July 2004, Culshaw appeared before Lancaster Magistrates charged with murder. He spoke only to confirm his name, and no plea was submitted.

Friday 1st October 2004, Culshaw appeared at Preston Crown Court charged with murder. He denied the murder charge.

Tuesday 8th February 2005, At his trial at Preston Crown Court, Culshaw denied murder and sexual assault, he claimed he went out looking for cigarettes, and when he came back, he found Miss Benson-Jowry dead. He claimed to have panicked and gone on the run.

Wednesday 17th February 2005, The jury took only an hour to return a guilty verdict.

Thursday 10th February 2005, Culshaw was jailed for life. The judge told him, "Life must mean life"
This put Culshaw on the Home Office list of prisoners who will NEVER be released. To see the list Click Here >>

6th February 2013, now 45-year-old Culshaw, from Penrith, Cumbria, was found collapsed in his cell at Frankland Prison in Durham.  He was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham, but died of natural causes.

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