Shane Mays, 30, has been jailed for life at Winchester Crown Court and told he must serve a minimum of 25 years for the murder of his niece, 16-year-old Louise Smith, whose body he violated and burned in woodland in Hampshire.
Mays, of Somborne Drive, Havant, denied murder, only admitting manslaughter, but was found guilty by a jury.
Louise was found dead at Havant Thicket, Hampshire, on May 21st, 13 days after she went missing on VE Day.
Louise Smith, 16
She went to live with her aunt Chazlynn Jayne Mays and her uncle Shane Mays in late April after an argument with her mother.
Louise went to stay with her, Chazlynn Jayne Mays, known as Cjay
The court heard Mays “flirted” with “anxious and vulnerable” Louise, and he was seen tickling her feet on a video shown in court that was found on her phone.
Shane Mays
He claimed Louise lured him to the woods to “bond” with him.
In a statement from her father, Bradley Smith, he said he was “tortured by nightmares” and might “never recover.”
Det Insp Adam Edwards, of Hampshire Constabulary, said: “Mays has shown no remorse throughout this case, and has lied to police in a bid to deflect any blame for Louise’s murder away from himself. I am pleased that the jury were able to see through these lies.”
Louise Smith
Sentencing judge Mrs Justice May said Mays had committed ‘the most gross abuse of trust’ and ‘terribly murdered’ Louise. She said the murder of a vulnerable child was ‘especially grievous’ adding: “Louise had been grotesquely and cruelly injured, and her body defiled.”
Mays killed Louise in what was described as a “sexually motivated” murder on the afternoon of May 8th, before disposing of her phone and phone case nearby.
Prosecutor James Newton-Price QC, had told the court that Mays lied to his family and the police about Louise’s disappearance, claiming that he had walked her to a skate park in Emsworth.
Before his trial he changed his story to say he had played a part in her death at the Thicket, but was not responsible for her murder.
Snapchat video footage of Shane Mays tickling Louise’s feet just days before her death
After deliberating for approximately two hours, the jury unanimously convicted Mays of murder.
Detective Inspector Adam Edwards, the Senior Investigating Officer in the case, said: “Louise was just 16-years-old when she was murdered by Shane Mays, and her death is an absolute tragedy. Our thoughts remain with her family, friends and all that knew her.
“Louise had been described as a smiley, generous person who was known for her kindness, and this is how she will be remembered.”
After the case Rebbecca Cooper, Louise’s mother, described Mays as a “monster’ and said: “We would like to thank everyone who contributed in finding justice for our beautiful daughter Louise.
Louise Smith with her mother Rebbecca Jayne Cooper
“No words can describe the loss we feel on a daily basis. She was our sunshine, and is truly missed by all that knew her.
“I cannot put it into words, but the pain inside is unbelievable just knowing we will never see her again.’
Louise’s father, Bradley Smith, said: “Louise was very much loved her whole young life. As a family, we wanted to give her happy times like taking her on holiday.
“We all find it impossible to accept that we will never hear her voice or see her cheeky smile again. Our chance to see her grow up has been ripped away from us.
“As a father, I moved away to try and build a life for both of us. I’ll never get a chance to share that with her. The loss of Louise has destroyed our family.”
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