Winnipeg police admit they paid money to man who eventually confessed to murders

WINNIPEG – Winnipeg police admit they paid a man who turned out to be a serial killer for information in his case.

But Supt. Danny Smyth (s-MY-th) says police did not pay Shawn Lamb to confess to the killings of Carolyn Sinclair and Lorna Blacksmith.

Smyth says $1,500 was put in a prison canteen fund for Lamb so he would agree to be interviewed by police.

Smyth says the interviews led to the discovery of Blacksmith’s body and charges being laid.

Lamb got a plea deal Thursday after the Crown admitted his subsequent police confession likely wouldn’t have been admissible in court.

Lamb was sentenced to 20 years in jail, but can apply for parole in nine years.