Warren Spence jailed for murdering partner Samantha Varley

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2dmjk6n8vo

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Warren Spence has been jailed for a minimum of 24 years

A man has been jailed for a minimum of 24 years for murdering his girlfriend at her home in Leeds in a "brutal and sustained" attack.

The body of Samantha Varley, 44, was found with bite marks and head, chest and leg injuries in a flat in Harehills in February 2024.

Warren Spence, 55, already had convictions for attacking, threatening and harassing previous partners dating back to 2007, Leeds Crown Court was told.

He had denied being present at the time of Miss Varley's death but was convicted on 6 March following a trial lasting two and a half weeks.

Samantha Varley's body was found in her Leeds flat on 12 February last year

Leeds Crown Court heard that Miss Varley had visited Leeds' domestic violence service in the week before she was killed.

Police bodycam footage was played at the trial, showing Miss Varley predicting her own death and telling officers that she was terrified of Spence.

In sentencing, the Judge Mr Justice Cotter told Spence: "You are a violent, manipulative and controlling man who's been a danger to women for many years."

In a victim impact statement read to the court, Miss Varley's family described her as "caring, funny, loyal and a beautiful person inside and out".

West Yorkshire Police has confirmed it has referred itself to the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Senior Investigating Officer Det Ch Insp James Entwistle, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "Sam Varley suffered a horrendous catalogue of injuries in a brutal and sustained attack by Warren Spence.

"He then left her there to die without the slightest consideration, and she was not discovered until several days later.

"He has given no explanation for his violent actions which have left Sam's family completely devastated by their loss."

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