Adam Jinks, 23, was given a two-year sentence but freed because had already spent 386 days in custody.

Jinks, who used to live in Banksfield Avenue, was acquitted of murdering "Fox Lady" Michelle Crossley, 39, at Truro Crown Court but admitted assisting killer Gary Chadwick, 42, by disposing of a rolling pin, hammer, knives, a wine bottle, a glass and telephone.

Mr Justice Owen told Jinks, who now intends to move back to Calderdale: "The events you witnessed that night will always be with you and that in itself is a severe punishment. You witnessed a murderous att-ack on a defenceless woman."

Ms Crossley, who grew up in Soyland and attended the old Halifax Catholic High School, Holmfield, was battered to death at her home – Higher Carnbone Farm, near Helston, Cornwall, which she shared with dogs and her pet fox.

Prosecutor Martin Edmunds QC said Chad-wick, who also used to live in Banksfield Avenue, was awaiting sentence after admitting murder.

Jinks, he said, was 21 at the time of the killing and had been Chadwick's stepson for 15 years. The victim, who lived in an isolated farmhouse, was the estranged wife of Jinks's grandfather.

Her body was found in the lounge with severe head injuries and stab wounds. She had been struck with a rolling pin and hammer and stabbed while she was unconscious.

Chadwick and Jinks had been to a pub and were taken by taxi to the farmhouse.

When arrested Jinks denied murdering Ms Crossley and said he did not know who was responsible.

But then said he witnessed Chadwick strike two blows to the head with the rolling pin and three with the hammer and then punch her before he turned away.

Defence counsel Paul Dunkels QC said: "Jinks is a young man used to doing what he was told by his stepfather. There is much evidence that he was a controlling and bullying figure in Jinks's life."

Mr Dunkels said when Chadwick was interviewed he claimed he had had sex with Ms Crossley on the night of the killing and that was the cause of the argument that flared up between them.