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Man murdered make-up artist wife | Man murdered make-up artist wife |
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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, denied murdering Diane, 48, and dumping her body. She went missing in January 2008. | David Chenery-Wickens, 52, of Duddleswell, denied murdering Diane, 48, and dumping her body. 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. |
Mrs Chenery-Wickens' decomposed body was found in an area of woodland, thick with brambles, off Worth Lane, Little Horsted, near Uckfield, last May. | Mrs Chenery-Wickens' decomposed body was found in an area of woodland, thick with brambles, off Worth Lane, Little Horsted, near Uckfield, last May. |
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. | 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 uncover his sexual and financial lies. | The court heard Chenery-Wickens killed his wife after she began to uncover his 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. |
class="" href="/1/hi/england/southern_counties/7910782.stm">Murdered make-up artist 'adored' | |
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. | 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. |
Passing sentence, Judge Mr Justice Cooke said Chenery-Wickens repeatedly lied to his wife as he indulged in affairs with other women and men. | Passing sentence, Judge Mr Justice Cooke said Chenery-Wickens repeatedly lied to his wife as he indulged in affairs with other women and men. |
He also preyed on vulnerable people whom he deceived into parting with money. | He also preyed on vulnerable people whom he deceived into parting with money. |
Mr Justice Cooke said Chenery-Wickens had been a drain on Mrs Chenery-Wickens, who was the main breadwinner. | Mr Justice Cooke said Chenery-Wickens had been a drain on Mrs Chenery-Wickens, who was the main breadwinner. |
'False story' | 'False story' |
Speaking of the night of the murder, 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 of the murder, 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 23 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 23 January, knowing it was unlikely that it would be seen for a long time or ever." |
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. | 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." | "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. |