Michael Doherty, 38, admitted murdering Courtney Angus when he appeared at Leeds Crown Court and he has now been jailed for life12:17, 28 May 2026Updated 12:45, 28 May 2026A man has been jailed for the murder of a woman just hours before her she was to celebrate her 21st birthday‌Michael Doherty, 38, admitted murdering Courtney Angus when he appeared at Leeds Crown Court and he has now been jailed for life.‌He had also pleaded guilty to three counts of threatening another with an article with a blade or point but denied having an article with a blade or point and affray.‌Officers discovered Courtney's body in July last year after arresting a man in relation to a reported armed robbery at an Asda in Dewsbury. The man later told detectives that a woman - who he believed had died - was inside a property in Norfolk Street.Police said Ms Angus was found at Doherty’s house, she had been assaulted and strangled with a post-mortem finding she had suffered 76 injuries.‌After Doherty’s pleas, prosecutors said he had expressed a romantic interest in Courtney on the day of the murder and threatened to kill himself when she did not reciprocate.They said shortly before midnight on July 25, his phone connected with masts near a local pub, where a witness reported seeing an agitated man saying he had “done something terrible”.During the sentencing hearing, the court was told that Doherty was convicted of rape in 2014, having met a woman in a nightclub in Morley the year before. He attacked the woman in an alleyway and it ended "when a passerby disturbed him". He also had other convictions for arson, assaults, robberies and harassment.‌Judge Guy Kearl has now set a minimum term of 33 years, less time spent on remand. Doherty has to serve that term in custody before going before the Parole Board who will determine if he is safe to be released. He will then be on licence for life.‌Ms Angus had been staying at Doherty’s address for several days before the fatal attack.Craig Hassall, prosecuting, said: "She was 21-years-old at the time of her death. The prosecution submits that clearly, the killing of Courtney Angus, involved sexual and/or sadistic conduct.‌"She had been living with the offender at Norfolk Street for a few days and during those few days he had made it clear to others that he liked Courtney. During the time they were living at the same house, there was a good deal of texting and communication, and within that, on 24th July last year, he told Courtney he was contemplating taking his own life."He said, 'I'm fed up of this life, fed up of being nice, and to be honest it's not just you, I can't take much more of life.' She responded: 'It's not my fault I don't want a relationship. I haven't led you on or filled your mind with anything. I've been a good friend to you, I'm sorry.'"Mr Hassall alleged that after killing Ms Angus, he called a friend. "Doherty sent a message to a friend of his that said, 'I've killed someone, ring me please' and she recalls a phone conversation, in which he said he had a 'lass in his house who went for him with a knife' and he said he punched her and she hit her head and he thought she was dead," said the prosecutor.‌"At 3.01am, he sent a voice message to someone and in it he claimed 'the bird had come at him with a knife and he had knocked her spark out and she was dead on his sofa'."Mr Hassall told the court that later that day at around 11am on July 26, Doherty stole three baguettes from a Greggs and then went to try and steal from Aldi. Shortly after 9pm, he went to an Asda in Dewsbury and left without paying, but was followed out by staff members and produced a large knife saying: "I'll stab you mate, I'll stab you."Article continues belowThe incident was reported to police and officers attended Dewsbury town centre to try and look for Doherty. He was located at around 9.15pm brandishing a large knife. He said: "Get armed response and SIO to me now because I've got murder, I've got a dead body in my house." Doherty was tasered and arrested.After her death was confirmed, Ms Angus’s family released a statement which said: “Our lives have been shattered and turned upside down with the news that no parent wants to hear – that our gorgeous daughter and sister is no longer with us. Courtney had a beautiful soul. She was a lover of music, socialising and having fun. Her whole family is heartbroken over the loss of such an amazing woman.”