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Wife killer was 'compelled to lie' Wife killer was 'compelled to lie'
(10 minutes later)
David Chenery-Wickens told a web of lies to deceive his wife, the court heardDavid Chenery-Wickens told a web of lies to deceive his wife, the court heard
Dubbed the Vicar of Fibley, friends of the spiritualist minister who murdered his wife said he was a compulsive liar.Dubbed the Vicar of Fibley, friends of the spiritualist minister who murdered his wife said he was a compulsive liar.
David Chenery-Wickens, of Duddleswell, East Sussex, was found guilty at Lewes Crown Court of killing award-winning make-up artist Diane.David Chenery-Wickens, of Duddleswell, East Sussex, was found guilty at Lewes Crown Court of killing award-winning make-up artist Diane.
Throughout the police investigation he fabricated stories to explain Diane's disappearance from their country home.Throughout the police investigation he fabricated stories to explain Diane's disappearance from their country home.
But friends of 52-year-old Chenery-Wickens said lying had become a way of life for the smooth-talking womaniser.But friends of 52-year-old Chenery-Wickens said lying had become a way of life for the smooth-talking womaniser.
He claimed he always knew he had a spiritual side, even as a child growing up in Beckenham, south London, and used to hear voices whispering to him and mysterious footsteps during the night.He claimed he always knew he had a spiritual side, even as a child growing up in Beckenham, south London, and used to hear voices whispering to him and mysterious footsteps during the night.
After working for his father's haulage business, he set up a painting and decorating firm where he used "psychic powers" to help clients find suitable colours.After working for his father's haulage business, he set up a painting and decorating firm where he used "psychic powers" to help clients find suitable colours.
Relationship guidanceRelationship guidance
He was later paid for tarot readings, delivering "exorcisms" and holding services in spiritual churches.He was later paid for tarot readings, delivering "exorcisms" and holding services in spiritual churches.
Ordained as a minister in the United Spiritualists in 2002, Chenery-Wickens began to specialise in divorce and relationship help.Ordained as a minister in the United Spiritualists in 2002, Chenery-Wickens began to specialise in divorce and relationship help.
But his spiritual concern masked a manipulative and deceitful character, it has been claimed.But his spiritual concern masked a manipulative and deceitful character, it has been claimed.
During the trial he admitted affairs with six of the 12 lovers mentioned in court, five of whom gave evidence.During the trial he admitted affairs with six of the 12 lovers mentioned in court, five of whom gave evidence.
Many of them had initially come to him asking for help.Chenery-Wickens lied to his wife Diane to hide his affairs Many of them had initially come to him asking for help.
Murdered make-up artist 'adored'
One former member of a spiritualist group he led at Jarvis Brook Memorial Hall, East Sussex, said he tried to manipulate the woman who trusted him.One former member of a spiritualist group he led at Jarvis Brook Memorial Hall, East Sussex, said he tried to manipulate the woman who trusted him.
Marlene Johnson, who was trained as a spiritualist minister by Chenery-Wickens, said: "He asked me if he could be my lover.Marlene Johnson, who was trained as a spiritualist minister by Chenery-Wickens, said: "He asked me if he could be my lover.
"I was quite shocked because first of all I didn't think he was like that.""I was quite shocked because first of all I didn't think he was like that."
At five years his senior, she said she was flattered by his request, but didn't go ahead with it.At five years his senior, she said she was flattered by his request, but didn't go ahead with it.
However, it transpired that she was not the only one to be given such attention by their minister.However, it transpired that she was not the only one to be given such attention by their minister.
"He told so many lies about each of them that the girls fell out and didn't talk to each other so they didn't know what he was doing," added Ms Johnson."He told so many lies about each of them that the girls fell out and didn't talk to each other so they didn't know what he was doing," added Ms Johnson.
She said she knew of four women he was sleeping with.She said she knew of four women he was sleeping with.
Web of liesWeb of lies
Chenery-Wickens' wife had also been impressed with his spiritualism, and they married in June 1997.Chenery-Wickens' wife had also been impressed with his spiritualism, and they married in June 1997.
The court heard he also had a long-term mistress, divorcee Kerry Lippett, who was led to believe he and Mrs Chenery-Wickens were divorced.The court heard he also had a long-term mistress, divorcee Kerry Lippett, who was led to believe he and Mrs Chenery-Wickens were divorced.
He was said to have told a web of lies to deceive both women.He was said to have told a web of lies to deceive both women.
One Christmas Day he told his wife he had to visit his desperately ill adult son from a previous relationship, Adam, but went instead to see Ms Lippett.One Christmas Day he told his wife he had to visit his desperately ill adult son from a previous relationship, Adam, but went instead to see Ms Lippett.
In a statement read to the court, Adam said he had not seen or spoken to his father for the past three years.In a statement read to the court, Adam said he had not seen or spoken to his father for the past three years.
John Padgham was a friend for several years through their work on the Lavender Line railway, where Chenery-Wickens was the society secretary and catering director.John Padgham was a friend for several years through their work on the Lavender Line railway, where Chenery-Wickens was the society secretary and catering director.
Chenery-Wickens was described by friends as a Walter Mitty characterChenery-Wickens was described by friends as a Walter Mitty character
He said Chenery-Wickens often turned up at the railway wearing a dog-collar, invented stories, including those about his sick son, and eventually became known as a Walter Mitty-type character.He said Chenery-Wickens often turned up at the railway wearing a dog-collar, invented stories, including those about his sick son, and eventually became known as a Walter Mitty-type character.
He said: "The general nickname was the Vicar of Fibley because of the fibs that he told and the things that just weren't true, about his son, the money, the house, their divorce. They progressively got worse.He said: "The general nickname was the Vicar of Fibley because of the fibs that he told and the things that just weren't true, about his son, the money, the house, their divorce. They progressively got worse.
"In the end we didn't believe anything. I don't know why he took us for a ride because he didn't seem like that sort of guy.""In the end we didn't believe anything. I don't know why he took us for a ride because he didn't seem like that sort of guy."
During the five-week trial it emerged that in the days, weeks and months after the killing, he told a series of lies to family, friends and the police.During the five-week trial it emerged that in the days, weeks and months after the killing, he told a series of lies to family, friends and the police.
Prosecutor Philip Katz QC said Chenery-Wickens had a "switch" which compelled him to lie.Prosecutor Philip Katz QC said Chenery-Wickens had a "switch" which compelled him to lie.
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Mrs Chenery-Wicken's body was found four months after she disappearedMrs Chenery-Wicken's body was found four months after she disappeared