Three women have been given suspended sentences for offences related to the death of 21-year-old Katie Simpson in Northern Ireland.

The showjumper died less than a week after she was attacked at her home outside Derry in 2020.

In April of this year, 36-year-old Jonathan Cresswell was sent for trial, accused of rape and murder.

However, the trial ended soon after it started as he was found dead the morning after it began.

Today, three women received sentences that will be suspended for two years for offences connected to Katie Simpson's death.

Hayley Robb, who is 30, admitted to both withholding information and perverting the course of justice.

She washed Mr Cresswell's clothes and cleaned blood in his home; for that, she was sentenced to two years in prison.

Jill Robinson, who is 42, admitted to perverting the course of justice by washing clothes belonging to Mr Cresswell as well; she was sentenced to 16 months in prison.

Thirdly, Rose de Montmorency-Wright, who is 23, admitted to withholding information while knowing of Johnathan Cresswell's alleged assault on Katie Simpson.

She was handed a sentence of eight months in prison.

In a statement today, the PSNI said Katie Simpson's loved ones "experienced a loss beyond words" and their "sorrow has been deepened" by a lack of closure.

Main image: Kate Simpson. Picture by: The Simpson family.