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Man murdered make-up artist wife Man murdered make-up artist wife
(20 minutes later)
A spiritualist minister from East Sussex has been jailed for life after being found guilty of murdering his make-up artist wife.A spiritualist minister from East Sussex has been jailed for life after being found guilty of murdering his make-up artist wife.
David Chenery-Wickens, 52, of Duddleswell, had denied the murder of Diane, 48, and dumping her body after she went missing in January 2008.David Chenery-Wickens, 52, of Duddleswell, had denied the murder of Diane, 48, and dumping her body after she went missing in January 2008.
He told Lewes Crown Court she had planned to disappear to escape financial and work worries.He told Lewes Crown Court she had planned to disappear to escape financial and work worries.
Chenery-Wickens was told he would serve a minimum of 18 years in jail.Chenery-Wickens was told he would serve a minimum of 18 years in jail.
The television make-up artist's decomposed body was found in an area of woodland thick with brambles off Worth Lane, Little Horsted, near Uckfield, in May.The television make-up artist's decomposed body was found in an area of woodland thick with brambles off Worth Lane, Little Horsted, near Uckfield, in May.
Jurors were told the prosecution was unable to say how, where and exactly when Mrs Chenery-Wickens died because of the length of time her body was exposed to the elements, but it said evidence pointed to her being murdered on 22 January last year.Jurors were told the prosecution was unable to say how, where and exactly when Mrs Chenery-Wickens died because of the length of time her body was exposed to the elements, but it said evidence pointed to her being murdered on 22 January last year.
You killed her, most probably by strangling her, though it's clear from the evidence that blood was spilt Judge Mr Justice Cooke Wife killer was 'compelled to lie'You killed her, most probably by strangling her, though it's clear from the evidence that blood was spilt Judge Mr Justice Cooke Wife killer was 'compelled to lie'
The court heard Chenery-Wickens killed his wife after she began to unravel his web of sexual and financial lies.The court heard Chenery-Wickens killed his wife after she began to unravel his web of sexual and financial lies.
On the day she was murdered, she found out her husband had been cheating on her and had also dialled a gay chatline.On the day she was murdered, she found out her husband had been cheating on her and had also dialled a gay chatline.
Jurors were told that on 23 January 2008, Chenery-Wickens sold 9ct gold jewellery belonging to his wife to Walsh Bros Jewellers in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, for £100.Jurors were told that on 23 January 2008, Chenery-Wickens sold 9ct gold jewellery belonging to his wife to Walsh Bros Jewellers in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, for £100.
He claimed his wife knew about this and that he gave her the money because they were struggling financially.He claimed his wife knew about this and that he gave her the money because they were struggling financially.
Three days after he murdered her, he met a man via a gay chatline.Three days after he murdered her, he met a man via a gay chatline.
Mrs Chenery-Wickens' body was found five months after she went missingMrs Chenery-Wickens' body was found five months after she went missing
When Chenery-Wickens was arrested on suspicion of her murder on 31 January, a forensic medical examiner found scratches on his wrists, arms and legs.When Chenery-Wickens was arrested on suspicion of her murder on 31 January, a forensic medical examiner found scratches on his wrists, arms and legs.
It also emerged that blood was found on Mrs Chenery-Wickens's wedding and eternity rings hidden in a box in the couple's bedroom months before her body was found.It also emerged that blood was found on Mrs Chenery-Wickens's wedding and eternity rings hidden in a box in the couple's bedroom months before her body was found.
Serial adulterer Chenery-Wickens was convicted of murder at a trial lasting more than a month.Serial adulterer Chenery-Wickens was convicted of murder at a trial lasting more than a month.
Passing sentence, Judge Mr Justice Cooke said Chenery-Wickens preyed on vulnerable people whom he deceived into parting with money, and repeatedly lied to his wife during the course of their "sham" marriage as he indulged his "sexual appetite" with other women and men.Passing sentence, Judge Mr Justice Cooke said Chenery-Wickens preyed on vulnerable people whom he deceived into parting with money, and repeatedly lied to his wife during the course of their "sham" marriage as he indulged his "sexual appetite" with other women and men.
He also said Chenery-Wickens had been a "drain" on Mrs Chenery-Wickens, who was the main breadwinner.He also said Chenery-Wickens had been a "drain" on Mrs Chenery-Wickens, who was the main breadwinner.
'Elaborate charade''Elaborate charade'
Speaking of the night the minister murdered her, the judge said: "Whether it was a sudden loss of temper or in a controlled rage, you killed her, most probably by strangling her, though it's clear from the evidence that blood was spilt.Speaking of the night the minister murdered her, the judge said: "Whether it was a sudden loss of temper or in a controlled rage, you killed her, most probably by strangling her, though it's clear from the evidence that blood was spilt.
"You then disposed of the body either on that night or on the 23rd of January, knowing it was unlikely that it would be seen for a long time or ever.""You then disposed of the body either on that night or on the 23rd of January, knowing it was unlikely that it would be seen for a long time or ever."
Mr Justice Cooke said Chenery-Wickens went on to act out an "elaborate charade" on 24 January as he travelled to London by train alone and reported her missing.Mr Justice Cooke said Chenery-Wickens went on to act out an "elaborate charade" on 24 January as he travelled to London by train alone and reported her missing.
"You have lied to all and sundry with ever-changing stories and have continued to maintain the most preposterous lies to this jury," the judge went on."You have lied to all and sundry with ever-changing stories and have continued to maintain the most preposterous lies to this jury," the judge went on.
Speaking after the sentencing, Det Ch Insp Steve Johns, of Sussex Police, said: "David Chenery-Wickens created a false story about Diane's disappearance, and then thought he was clever enough to go on adapting it to try to match every new piece of information that we uncovered.
"The principal victim of his lies was, of course, Diane herself. But Diane's family and friends are victims too."
Mrs Chenery-Wickens's television credits included the BBC's Dead Ringers, The League Of Gentlemen and Casualty.Mrs Chenery-Wickens's television credits included the BBC's Dead Ringers, The League Of Gentlemen and Casualty.
She won an Emmy in 2000 for Arabian Nights and received a Bafta nomination for Dead Ringers three years later.She won an Emmy in 2000 for Arabian Nights and received a Bafta nomination for Dead Ringers three years later.