Russell Marsh has been jailed for life for the murder of the mother of his children.
He had denied murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter, but a jury found him guilty within two hours. Jade Ward, 27, was found murdered at her Shotton home on Thursday, August 26 last year.
North Wales Live reports, that today the judge sentenced him to life in prison, with the court hearing Marsh will serve 25 years behind bars. Ms Ward's family applauded the judge as he left court after delivering the sentencing.
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The 29-year-old was found guilty of leaving the body of his 'mutilated' ex-wife dumped under a pile of clothes in a room sealed shut with a dressing gown cord. Marsh had been working an overnight shift for his employer Bio Energy in Ellesmere Port on the night Ms Ward was killed.
He had told his supervisor that he had to leave several hours into his shift and claimed his brother had taken an overdose and needed to go to hospital. But the prosecutor said this was 'completely untrue' and instead Marsh was tracked by CCTV, ANPR cameras, and phone masts heading into North Wales and arriving at the former family home in Shotton.
The couple had separated on three occasions but they had split in the summer of 2021. The court heard that close friends and family members heard Ms Ward saying that this time the separation was "for good." Ms Ward had allegedly shared a kiss with another man at a party and was "moving on" with her life.
This information made its way back to Marsh who was described in court as being "controlling" over his partner. Marsh then attacked the Co-op worker Ms Ward with a knife before strangling her and then handing himself into police the next day.
Detective Inspector Myfanwy Kirkwood, the deputy Senior Investigating Officer, said: “For Jade’s young life to be cut so cruelly short in such tragic circumstances is beyond comprehension.
"Jade was much loved by her family and friends and I recognise that no words or verdict will ever bring back this young woman, but I hope today's outcome will bring a small sense of peace to Jade’s family. They have shown immense strength and courage throughout and I thank them for the way in which they have found the strength to assist my investigation team.
“On Wednesday, 25 August 2021, Jade had spent time with her four children, friends and family and had enjoyed the afternoon and evening. She was described as being happy and looking forward to her future. Russell Marsh took her future away by killing her and only he truly knows the reasons for his dreadful actions, leaving their four children without a mother.
“As a force, North Wales Police is committed to proactively identifying individuals who pose the highest risk of harm to women and girls, and actively manage those individuals to prevent or reduce offending.
“Violent men who harm women and girls should be in no doubt that we are coming after them. If you or someone you know is suffering from domestic abuse, Live Fear Free can be contacted on 0808 801 0800.”
