This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/hampshire/6124368.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Wife murderer jailed for 17 years Wife murderer jailed for 17 years
(40 minutes later)
A wealthy businessman found guilty of murdering his wife and dumping her body has been jailed for at least 17 years.A wealthy businessman found guilty of murdering his wife and dumping her body has been jailed for at least 17 years.
Mike Gifford-Hull, 43, made a public appeal for his missing wife Kirsi, 39, to come home last September.Mike Gifford-Hull, 43, made a public appeal for his missing wife Kirsi, 39, to come home last September.
After her body was found in woodland at Micheldever, he claimed she was killed accidentally at their home in Harestock Road, Winchester.After her body was found in woodland at Micheldever, he claimed she was killed accidentally at their home in Harestock Road, Winchester.
Jailing him at Winchester Crown Court on Tuesday, Judge Guy Boney QC said he was "callous, calculating and devious".Jailing him at Winchester Crown Court on Tuesday, Judge Guy Boney QC said he was "callous, calculating and devious".
A jury found Gifford-Hull guilty of murder by a majority verdict on Monday, after more than 10 hours of deliberations.A jury found Gifford-Hull guilty of murder by a majority verdict on Monday, after more than 10 hours of deliberations.
'Unforgivable act''Unforgivable act'
During sentencing, Michael Bowes QC, prosecuting, read an emotional letter from Mrs Gifford-Hull's daughter, who cannot be named for legal reasons, written three days after the discovery of her mother's body.During sentencing, Michael Bowes QC, prosecuting, read an emotional letter from Mrs Gifford-Hull's daughter, who cannot be named for legal reasons, written three days after the discovery of her mother's body.
It said: "I am confused, lost and scared. I know that only your body is left and I know you love me and I love you.It said: "I am confused, lost and scared. I know that only your body is left and I know you love me and I love you.
"A future that seemed so clear and bright has slipped away from me. I will always love you.""A future that seemed so clear and bright has slipped away from me. I will always love you."
Gifford-Hull was told he was "callous, calculating and devious"Gifford-Hull was told he was "callous, calculating and devious"
The court was told Gifford-Hull, who owned a part share in a trailer-making firm, strangled his Finnish-born wife and stashed the body under a bed before throwing it out of a first-floor window and taking it to woods. The court was told Gifford-Hull, who owned a part share in a trailer-making firm, strangled his Finnish-born wife of 19 years and stashed the body under a bed before throwing it out of a first-floor window and taking it to woods.
A dog walker found Mrs Gifford-Hull's decomposed remains on October 6 - days after her husband made an emotional TV appeal for her return.A dog walker found Mrs Gifford-Hull's decomposed remains on October 6 - days after her husband made an emotional TV appeal for her return.
Witness Elaine McGeachy, one of Gifford-Hull's lovers who he met on an internet dating site, told the court they had had sex at the spot where he took his wife's body.Witness Elaine McGeachy, one of Gifford-Hull's lovers who he met on an internet dating site, told the court they had had sex at the spot where he took his wife's body.
Mrs Gifford-Hull's father Juhani Pihlajamaki, who was in court with his wife Leena and other family members, submitted a victim impact statement, which was read out by Mr Bowes.Mrs Gifford-Hull's father Juhani Pihlajamaki, who was in court with his wife Leena and other family members, submitted a victim impact statement, which was read out by Mr Bowes.
It said: "To have thrown Kirsi from a bedroom window to the ground, to have dragged her body wrapped in plastic ties over 500 metres of gravelled woodland, to have given his children hope when there was none, is unforgivable and we will never be able to forgive him for this selfish act."It said: "To have thrown Kirsi from a bedroom window to the ground, to have dragged her body wrapped in plastic ties over 500 metres of gravelled woodland, to have given his children hope when there was none, is unforgivable and we will never be able to forgive him for this selfish act."
'Desire to conceal'
"He could only refer to Kirsi as 'she' or 'it'. He couldn't even say her name. Shame on him."He could only refer to Kirsi as 'she' or 'it'. He couldn't even say her name. Shame on him.
"A void, a chasm that can never be filled is all that is left for us.""A void, a chasm that can never be filled is all that is left for us."
In mitigation, Nicholas Haggan QC, said: "It's difficult to understand why this defendant did what he did. He does not fit the typical profile of a violent offender."
Judge Boney accepted that there was little premeditation to the murder, but added: "Your prime concern was an old-fashioned murderer's desire to conceal yourself from detection."