Gambling addict bludgeoned his estranged wife to death after she sold his ticket to an Elvis tribute act on eBay
The couple split last year after almost 30 years together, when the husband broke a promise to curb his betting when he blew £11,000 in a casino binge
Gambling addict Paul Abbott bludgeoned wife Jacqueline at least 16 times following a row over tickets to an Elvis tribute act.
The couple had split last year after almost 30 years together, when Abbott broke a promise to curb his betting when he blew £11,000 in a casino binge.
Abbott, 57, confronted Jacqueline at the family home in Netherton, West Mids, on the afternoon of 11 December after hearing she was planning a night out with a friend to see an Elvis impersonator.
It is thought a fight broke out between the pair in a bedroom when he was told she'd sold his ticket on eBay.
Abbott − described as controlling by friends and relatives and someone with a history of domestic violence − struck his wife across the head with a hammer and delivered what proved to be fatal blows in the back garden after following her downstairs as she desperately tried to flee.
During the struggle Jacqueline activated a panic alarm in the hallway − later found covered in blood − but Abbott silenced it by entering an override code because he "didn't want to alert the neighbours".
Abbott appeared minutes later at a family member's address, nervous and sweating - and when they asked about the red stains on his hands and shoes he told them he'd been painting.
He returned to the scene of the murder shortly after - where he was arrested by West Midlands Police officers.
In interview, Abbott claimed his 54-year-old wife lunged at him, scratching him across the face, but accepted lashing out with a hammer after "losing the plot".
But West Midlands Police detectives rejected his claims the killing was a one-off incident - and instead pushed for him to be sentenced on the basis it was the latest in a long-line of violent outbursts, dating back to the 1990s.
He went on to admit murder was sentenced to life in jail at Wolverhampton Crown Court, with a minimum term of 15 years behind bars.
Detective Inspector Justin Spanner, senior investigating officer, said: "Abbott suggested it was a red mist moment and that, despite the relationship being on the rocks, he still loved his wife.
"However, we proved to the court a history of domestic violence and showed that this was a jealous and controlling relationship throughout.
"This was not a loss of temper or a split-second loss of control - Abbott pursued Mrs Abbott down stairs, stopped to deactivate an alarm, and then struck her twice more in the garden.
"This is a tragic case - Mrs Abbott was looking to break from an abusive relationship that she'd endured for a long time and had just returned from a week away with friends.
"It should have been a fresh start for her − but Abbott cruelly cut her life short."