In July, “evil” Tony Bushby was sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering his 19-year-old girlfriend Katie Wynter as she babysat two small children.

Her devastated family yelled chants of “I hope you rot” as he was ordered to spend a minimum of 25-years behind bars for the brutal Boxing Day killing.

After he was found guilty, her family and friends paid tribute to the art-student in an exclusive interview with the Elstree and Borehamwood Times.

Wearing a T-shirt decorated with her little sister’s photo, Sabrina Charles said: “She was like an angel born to bless our lives.”

Best friend Sheridan Smith, 20, also described the “indescribable heartache” after finding out Katie had been killed.

July was also the month when a routine boiler check showed neighbours who had been plagued with mystery symptoms had been exposed to carbon monoxide for five years.

Gerald Lee, of Winthorpe Gardens, suffered a stroke last year despite previously being in perfect health. His wife, Doreen, also complained of dizziness and nausea.

Mum Rebecca Bowden said she had been tormented by mysterious headaches and sickness bouts. She added: “We could have all died.”

James Nathan, of Keble Court, had seen countless doctors for “intense chest pain” and decided to pursue legal action against builders Taylor Wimpey.

In all cases, the families were given emergency blood tests which showed low levels of carbon monoxide in their bodies.

Elsewhere, rubbish dumped in the middle of a peaceful park was found to be filled with confidential documents.

Door keys, an old bath and filing cabinets were found at Scratchwood Open Space – and upon further investigation, it emerged tax forms, pension slips and contracts were among the mess.

The documents contained personal information – including bank account details, national insurance numbers and even the addresses of previous employees of SGM Securities.

Stephen Miller, former director of the firm, which has since gone into liquidation, said: “I don’t know how they got there. It is a mystery.”

A family fun day was marred by an “irresponsible thug” who kicked his Staffordshire bull terrier several times in front of a crowd after it attacked another dog.

The attack happened in Meadow Park at an event marking the final day of the Annual Elstree and Borehamwood Civic Festival.

An eyewitness said: “This was upsetting for children and adults there – the behaviour of the owner of the dog was hideous and even worse than upsetting.”