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Police inspector Darren McKie jailed for wife's murder Police inspector Darren McKie jailed for wife's murder
(about 3 hours 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 told he must serve at a minimum of 19 years in jail. McKie was told he must serve a minimum of 19 years in jail.
Sentencing McKie to life imprisonment, Mr Justice Robin Spencer told him he "abused his knowledge of criminal investigations... and the public's trust in a senior police officer" after the "cruel killing".Sentencing McKie to life imprisonment, Mr Justice Robin Spencer told him he "abused his knowledge of criminal investigations... and the public's trust in a senior police officer" after the "cruel killing".
During his trial prosecutor Nigel Power QC said McKie "determinedly strangled his wife to death", involving significant force for at least a minute.During his trial prosecutor Nigel Power QC said McKie "determinedly strangled his wife to death", involving significant force for at least a minute.
Mr Justice Spencer said McKie had disposed of his wife's body in a "callous and despicable way" and had "shown no remorse".Mr Justice Spencer said McKie had disposed of his wife's body in a "callous and despicable way" and had "shown no remorse".
He added: "You have robbed your children of their mother and have robbed Leanne's parents of their beloved only child."He added: "You have robbed your children of their mother and have robbed Leanne's parents of their beloved only child."
Outwardly the couple, who had three children, appeared to have a "perfect marriage" and "perfect family", said the judge.Outwardly the couple, who had three children, appeared to have a "perfect marriage" and "perfect family", said the judge.
He said 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 and generous parents.He said 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 and generous parents.
'Day of reckoning''Day of reckoning'
However, in reality they were in the "spectre of serious and constant debt" and "both living beyond their means".However, in reality they were in the "spectre of serious and constant debt" and "both living beyond their means".
He said: "There was bound to be a day of reckoning."He said: "There was bound to be a day of reckoning."
He said McKie resorted to "subterfuge and fraud" to hide the debts, said to be more than £115,000, from his wife.He said McKie resorted to "subterfuge and fraud" to hide the debts, said to be more than £115,000, from his wife.
The judge said in the past their parents had given them £90,000 towards home improvements and paid off credit card debts of £40,000.The judge said in the past their parents had given them £90,000 towards home improvements and paid off credit card debts of £40,000.
The court heard McKie left work at Stretford police station abruptly at about 11:30 BST on the day of his wife's death, after receiving a text message from her revealing she had discovered he had made a loan application for £54,000 without her consent.The court heard McKie left work at Stretford police station abruptly at about 11:30 BST on the day of his wife's death, after receiving a text message from her revealing she had discovered he had made a loan application for £54,000 without her consent.
The court heard he forged his wife's signature and misused the police computer to obtain copies of her payslips for the application.The court heard he forged his wife's signature and misused the police computer to obtain copies of her payslips for the application.
The judge said: "Within the hour you had killed her.The judge said: "Within the hour you had killed her.
"She must have been aware that she was being strangled to death, in the family home, by the father of her children."She must have been aware that she was being strangled to death, in the family home, by the father of her children.
"It was an awful way to die.""It was an awful way to die."
The court heard McKie put his wife's body in the boot of her red Mini and drove it a short distance away, returning to the car later that night after putting their three children to bed and taking her body to Poynton Lake.The court heard McKie put his wife's body in the boot of her red Mini and drove it a short distance away, returning to the car later that night after putting their three children to bed and taking her body to Poynton Lake.
Mrs McKie's mother Ellen Dodd said from the moment 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 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.""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."
The judge said McKie would remain on licence for the rest of his life.The judge said McKie would remain on licence for the rest of his life.