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Police inspector Darren McKie jailed for wife's murder Police inspector Darren McKie jailed for wife's murder
(35 minutes later)
A former police inspector who murdered his wife in their home and dumped her body in a lake has been jailed.A former police inspector who murdered his wife in their home and dumped her body in a lake has been jailed.
Leanne McKie, 39, a detective constable, was found strangled in Poynton Lake in Cheshire on 29 September.Leanne McKie, 39, a detective constable, was found strangled in Poynton Lake in Cheshire on 29 September.
Darren McKie, 43, denied murder but admitted her manslaughter towards the end of his trial. He was found guilty by jury at Chester Crown Court.Darren McKie, 43, denied murder but admitted her manslaughter towards the end of his trial. He was found guilty by jury at Chester Crown Court.
McKie was ordered to serve a minimum of 19 years.McKie was ordered to serve a minimum of 19 years.
On sentencing McKie to life imprisonment, Mr Justice Robin Spencer told he "abused his knowledge of criminal investigations... and the public's trust in a senior police officer" after the "cruel killing".On sentencing McKie to life imprisonment, Mr Justice Robin Spencer told he "abused his knowledge of criminal investigations... and the public's trust in a senior police officer" after the "cruel killing".
He said he he disposed of his wife's body in a "callous and despicable way".He said he he disposed of his wife's body in a "callous and despicable way".
During his trial the court heard the couple, who both worked for Greater Manchester Police (GMP), had financial problems and owed more than £100,000. The judge said outwardly the couple appeared to have a "perfect marriage". McKie had risen to the rank of inspector at Greater Manchester Police (GMP) while his wife was a valued and respected detective constable with the force, and they both had "support of loving parents".
They had appeared to be a "perfect family" but were really living "well beyond their means", prosecutors said. However, in reality they were in the "spectre of serious and constant debt" and "they were both living beyond their means".
During his trial the court heard the couple owed more than £100,000.
McKie, who had 20 years' police service, strangled his wife after she discovered he had made a joint application for a £54,000 loan without her consent.McKie, who had 20 years' police service, strangled his wife after she discovered he had made a joint application for a £54,000 loan without her consent.
The trial heard McKie had forged his wife's signature repeatedly, using her warrant number and wage documents for the application.The trial heard McKie had forged his wife's signature repeatedly, using her warrant number and wage documents for the application.
Mrs McKie's mother Ellen Dodd said from the moment on 29 September she was told her daughter had been found dead "our lives came to a stop".Mrs McKie's mother Ellen Dodd said from the moment on 29 September she was told her daughter had been found dead "our lives came to a stop".
"Leanne was our light, and the light has gone out," she said."Leanne was our light, and the light has gone out," she said.
"It is only because of the children that we keep going."
"She was kind, loving and generous... [and] never said a bad word about anyone."