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Killer left dead partner for days Killer left dead partner for days
(10 minutes later)
A man who beat his partner to death and waited until her body began to decompose before phoning emergency services, has been jailed for life.A man who beat his partner to death and waited until her body began to decompose before phoning emergency services, has been jailed for life.
Gary Kirkham, 50, attacked Theresa Kelly, 42, at their home in Glyntaff, Pontypridd, in June 2006, but did not call 999 for three days.Gary Kirkham, 50, attacked Theresa Kelly, 42, at their home in Glyntaff, Pontypridd, in June 2006, but did not call 999 for three days.
He told his trial he punched Ms Kelly several times after he "lost it" when she admitted having an affair.He told his trial he punched Ms Kelly several times after he "lost it" when she admitted having an affair.
Appearing at Cardiff Crown Court, Kirkham denied murder.Appearing at Cardiff Crown Court, Kirkham denied murder.
He told the jury that he punched his partner of 24 years three times in the face after she taunted him and lunged at him with a broken glass.He told the jury that he punched his partner of 24 years three times in the face after she taunted him and lunged at him with a broken glass.
She suffered fractures to her nose and eye sockets and other injuries, but Kirkham said he did not get help because "people don't die of broken noses".She suffered fractures to her nose and eye sockets and other injuries, but Kirkham said he did not get help because "people don't die of broken noses".
The jury heard evidence that there was a history of domestic violence in the relationship and Mr Kirkham admitted striking his partner during "rows".The jury heard evidence that there was a history of domestic violence in the relationship and Mr Kirkham admitted striking his partner during "rows".
The court heard Theresa Kelly may have been dead for three daysThe court heard Theresa Kelly may have been dead for three days
The incidents which led up to Ms Kelly's death began on Tuesday, 13 June, 2006 when neighbours could hear shouting.The incidents which led up to Ms Kelly's death began on Tuesday, 13 June, 2006 when neighbours could hear shouting.
Arguments continued until Thursday - the last day neighbours heard Ms Kelly's voice, prosecutor John Jenkins QC told the jury.Arguments continued until Thursday - the last day neighbours heard Ms Kelly's voice, prosecutor John Jenkins QC told the jury.
Ms Kelly's body had started to decompose by the time Mr Kirkham dialled 999 at 1130 BST on Sunday, 18 June.Ms Kelly's body had started to decompose by the time Mr Kirkham dialled 999 at 1130 BST on Sunday, 18 June.
A pathologist who carried out a post mortem examination on Ms Kelly's body said she had died on Saturday night at the latest and may have been dead since the Thursday.A pathologist who carried out a post mortem examination on Ms Kelly's body said she had died on Saturday night at the latest and may have been dead since the Thursday.
Mr Kirkham had claimed she was alive on the Saturday. Kirkham had claimed she was alive on the Saturday.
Mr Jenkins told the jury: "The emergency services received a 999 call and found Theresa had been dead for some time.Mr Jenkins told the jury: "The emergency services received a 999 call and found Theresa had been dead for some time.
"Gary Kirkham had beaten her severely and instead of getting medical help he left her there to die.""Gary Kirkham had beaten her severely and instead of getting medical help he left her there to die."
AttackAttack
Kirkham's Sunday morning call to emergency services was played to the court in which he claimed Ms Kelly was "semi-conscious" despite adding she had "turned black" and was "ice cold".Kirkham's Sunday morning call to emergency services was played to the court in which he claimed Ms Kelly was "semi-conscious" despite adding she had "turned black" and was "ice cold".
Kirkham told police he attacked her after Ms Kelly taunted him about an affair.Kirkham told police he attacked her after Ms Kelly taunted him about an affair.
He said: "I never meant to hurt her - I just lost it.He said: "I never meant to hurt her - I just lost it.
"She had described having sexual relationship with another man and that's what caused me to flip my lid."She had described having sexual relationship with another man and that's what caused me to flip my lid.
"It was spur of the moment thing.""It was spur of the moment thing."
You were determined not to save her life but to maintain the charade in the faint hope of avoiding responsibility for Theresa's death Judge Christopher PitchfordYou were determined not to save her life but to maintain the charade in the faint hope of avoiding responsibility for Theresa's death Judge Christopher Pitchford
Ms Kelly's sister, Marie Jones, gave a victim impact statement to the court saying her family "will never be complete again".Ms Kelly's sister, Marie Jones, gave a victim impact statement to the court saying her family "will never be complete again".
She said: "The circumstances of her death have left us riddled with guilt.She said: "The circumstances of her death have left us riddled with guilt.
"Despite knowing something of the abuse we could only watch as she deteriorated in appearance and personality."Despite knowing something of the abuse we could only watch as she deteriorated in appearance and personality.
"We are now coming to terms with what happened in that house. We are absolutely shattered by what went on.""We are now coming to terms with what happened in that house. We are absolutely shattered by what went on."
Jailing Kirkham, Judge Christopher Pitchford said he must serve a minimum of 14 years before being eligible for parole.Jailing Kirkham, Judge Christopher Pitchford said he must serve a minimum of 14 years before being eligible for parole.
He told him: "You were determined not to save her life but to maintain the charade in the faint hope of avoiding responsibility for Theresa's death."He told him: "You were determined not to save her life but to maintain the charade in the faint hope of avoiding responsibility for Theresa's death."
The judge added it was "a matter of regret" the court did not provide couselling services for jurors after they heard graphic details of how Ms Kelly's decaying body was found.The judge added it was "a matter of regret" the court did not provide couselling services for jurors after they heard graphic details of how Ms Kelly's decaying body was found.