Prison officer jailed for murder

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/manchester/8021280.stm

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A prison officer from Wigan has been jailed for life for beating his girlfriend to death.

Lee Lucas admitted murdering Helen Lucas, 45, at their home in Park Road, Golborne last September and was told he would serve at least 16 years in jail.

Liverpool Crown Court heard how Ms Lucas suffered serious head, facial and neck injuries in the attack.

After the hearing, Det Insp Andy Tattersall said Lucas was "a violent man but also a complete coward".

Lucas, 36, had been dating Ms Lucas, who also worked as a prison officer, for 14 months before he killed her.

Although they were not married, she had changed her name. On the night of the attack they had been out drinking at several local pubs.

They returned home in the early hours of the morning, and seven hours later, Lucas called an ambulance claiming to have found Helen collapsed on the floor of the upstairs landing.

She was taken to hospital but died from trauma to her head and neck.

Helen Lucas was described as a "hard-working, wonderful daughter"

Her mother, also called Helen, paid tribute to her daughter, saying she was "hard-working and was a wonderful, loving daughter and a great friend to many".

Det Insp Tattersall added: "Helen was a lively, popular woman with a large circle of friends and family, many of whom are still struggling to come to terms with her death.

"Although Lee has admitted killing Helen, it still remains unclear exactly what took place in their home when they got back from their night out.

"I believe he attacked Helen in the early hours of the morning, leaving her for dead and only bothering to call for help hours later. By then it was too late.

"He made considerable efforts to clean up after himself and make it look like an accident, but the injuries Helen suffered were so severe it was clear he was lying.

"She was battered by someone who was supposed to love her and look after her.

"Thankfully he will now spend many years behind bars where he belongs."