THE partner of convicted murderer Peter Leonard has been sentenced to 50 weeks in prison, suspended for two years for helping him avoid justice.

Nicola Street, 35, of Arncliffe Avenue, Accrington was the cousin of the savagely beaten Alan Lee Street, who was murdered three days before Christmas last year.

Judge Anthony Russell QC, Recorder of Preston Crown Court heard that Nicola Street was living with Leonard at the time of the murder and was heavily pregnant with his child.

The court also heard there was no suggestion that she knew that Mr Street's body was hidden in the boot of Allan Palmer's blue Mitsubishi Colt, that was parked on her driveway while the men were in her home.

When the killers left her to dispose of the body, the only contact Nicola Street had with Leonard was a request to deliver clothes to an address in Accrington.

She was picked up and driven to Keith Birtwell's house in Maudsley Street, Accrington where she handed over the clothes and toiletries.

She then did not see Leonard until he handed himself into police.

Palmer and Leonard stayed one night Maudsley Street before heading on the run to Scotland.

Judge Russell QC said: "I have no doubt that Mr Leonard has a very powerful personality, and that you acted out of a sense of misplaced loyalty."

Nicola Street, was sentenced to 50 weeks in prison, suspended for two years and was given a 12 month supervision order.

Keith Birtwell, 30, of Maudsley Street, Accrington was also sentenced to 50 weeks in prison suspended for two years and given a 12 month supervision order after pleading guilty to assisting an offender.

He was also given a four month curfew.

Peter Leonard, 52, of Arncliffe Avenue, Accrington was sentenced to life in prison and he must serve a minimum of 27 years and 66 days.

Allan Palmer, 44, of Stockbridge Road, Padiham was also handed a mandatory life sentence and told he must serve a minimum of 24 years and 66 days.

A third man, Palmer's lodger Kieron Davison, 21, of Lancaster Drive, Padiham was given an indeterminate sentence after being found guilty of manslaughter and told he must serve a minimum of eight years.