Body in Bin Jail Term: Man Jailed for Hiding Friend's Remains

Steven Wales has been sentenced to 28 months in prison for concealing the body of his friend, Paul Smith, in a wheelie bin. The incident occurred approximately two days after Smith, a father of five, is believed to have died from a drug overdose in a bath. Wales, who was on license from prison at the time, alerted authorities on July 22 of last year.

Upon investigation, police discovered Smith's body in a bin near derelict properties. This discovery followed a fatal arson attack carried out by Smith a week prior, which resulted in the deaths of an elderly couple. Smith, who had developed a drug dependency and led a chaotic lifestyle after his release from prison, had been with Wales at his home, where they reportedly took drugs together.

Smith's medical cause of death was later determined to be mixed drug toxicity. Wales pleaded guilty to preventing the lawful burial of Smith at Liverpool Crown Court earlier this month.