Our thanks to Mike P for this. An extract from the long article:
Judge Sarah Munro, said Culhane was a ‘determined, persuasive and manipulative liar’ capable of conning professionals into sympathising with her.
‘Crystal Culhane did not, as the jury found, intend you (White) to attack him as brutally as you did but she did intend I am sure that you cause him considerable harm.
‘She did not anticipate that you would use a weapon.
‘You took the baseball bat with you either from the flat or from one of your vehicles, and as you now accept, you cornered Paul Flory in an alleyway and you battered him all over his head and body, literally beating his brains out.
‘The attack lasted no more than 50 seconds and you left him for dead as you ran back to your flat with the bat, wiping the bat on the grass as you fled.
‘Through the evidence, the reports and my own observation of you throughout the trial, it is clear that you, Crystal Culhane are a complex young woman of 22.
‘On the one hand you are an attractive, beautifully groomed and dressed young woman who is concerned at all times for your appearance.
‘You are, as I have seen from your text messages, articulate and literate. You are nowhere near as stupid as you would, when it suits you, have people believe.
‘Indeed, the evidence showed you to be a determined, persuasive and manipulative liar who is capable of deceiving others including professionals.
‘On the other hand you undoubtedly had a very difficult childhood, you were in care, you had special educational needs and you were unable to achieve academically.
‘You are prone to severe anxiety. You have been diagnosed with PTSD after a very unpleasant car crash. However you were able to gain employment as a carer.
‘You have also had considerable physical health issues. The probation officer assesses that you crave the attention of men.
‘You are somewhat inured to violence at their hands and you lack self-esteem or self respect. You may well use lies as a defence mechanism.’
Tim Starkey, defending Culhane said: ‘The domestic violence which she witnessed in her childhood, sadly seems to have been repeated in her own relationships.
‘She has been in four serious or long term relationships and in three of these she has experienced serious domestic violence and it maybe that she has come to accept that because of what she saw as a child, teenager and young adult in her own relationships.
‘A willingness to please and wanting to be loved is why she attracted men who recognised it and exploited it. You may think of that night she was caught between two violent men.
‘Something she spoke to me with pride about was her work as a carer. She had been doing that for two years before she was arrested.
‘She said to me she loved it. She talked about caring for people and loving that.
‘Something else which speaks to her determination to really turn her life around is the work she has done at ‘Funky Flowers’ the florists. It has given her a sense of purpose and a sense of self esteem.’
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