Primary school teacher stabbed partner to death and buried his body in the back garden
manchestereveningnews.co.ukA primary school teacher has been sentenced to life with a minimum of 20 years behind bars, for the murder of her partner. Fiona Beal, aged 50, confessed to killing Nicholas Billingham, aged 42, whose partially mummified body was found four-and-a-half months after he was last seen alive on 1 November 2021.
Beal entered a guilty plea during a retrial at the Old Bailey in April, following the collapse of her initial trial at Northampton Crown Court on its 64th day.
Judge Mark Lucraft KC imposed the life sentence on Beal at the conclusion of a two-day sentencing hearing on Thursday, stating: "Having moved and buried the body in the garden, you then lied to his mother, numerous friends, all his family and yours as to what you had done and where he was.” Read more: Footage shows moment Roy Keane grappled with fan after alleged headbutt as Micah Richards watches on The defendant remained head bowed as she was led from the courtroom.
During the sentencing, prosecutor Hugh Davies KC presented a letter written by Mr Billingham to Beal, in which he acknowledged his infidelity during their 17-year relationship, referred to Beal as "the most beautiful woman in the world" vowed never to "belittle" her again, and professed his love for her "with all my heart".
Read more on manchestereveningnews.co.uk