Sarah Shields' family 'start to grieve' after inquest

The family of a woman murdered while on holiday in Gran Canaria in 2010 say they can finally start to grieve.

Sarah Shields, 23, of Ipswich, was beaten and strangled by her boyfriend Christopher Chittock, who was jailed for 24 years in February.

Speaking after an inquest delivered a verdict of unlawful killing, Miss Shields' niece Stacey Stephenson said the experience had been 'a struggle'.

"Justice has been done," she said. "We can start to grieve, finally."

Chittock attacked Miss Shields in a jealous rage after finding text messages on her phone from her ex-boyfriend.

After punching her in their apartment, Chittock dragged Miss Shields to a deserted beach, banged her head against a rock, strangled her and dumped her in the sea.

Chittock then flew back to the home he shared with Miss Shields in Ipswich and tried to cover up the crime by sending text messages from her phone.

At the inquest in Ipswich, coroner Dr Peter Dean said it was an "appalling sequence and a very distressing case".

Miss Shields had died from asphyxiation by strangulation and serious head trauma.

Speaking after the inquest, her mother, Angela Shields, said she was a "lovely girl" who "never saw wrong in anybody".

"We miss her very much," Mrs Shields said. "It's so hard. We go to the cemetery and say hello to her and give her a kiss."