Haunting CCTV footage reveals the moment Thomas Nutt dragged the suitcase containing his murdered bride Dawn Walker through their garden.
Nutt, 46, has received a life sentence of imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years after being found guilty of Dawn's murder at Bradford Crown Court. The 52-year-old grandmother married Nutt on October 27 last year and was tragically murdered just a few hours later, Yorkshire Live reports.
In a horrific attack, Nutt strangled and beat her before hiding her body in a kitchen cupboard and travelling to Skegness for their "honeymoon". When he returned, he pretended to be Dawn and text her daughter arranging to meet up.
Read more: Vile 'bully' murdered new bride and hid her body in a suitcase
However, when Dawn failed to arrive, her daughter asked Nutt to help search for his new bride while also reporting her missing. He proceeded to stuff Dawn's body into a suitcase and dispose of it in a field close to their house in Shirley Grove, Brighouse.
When Nutt was confronted by police, he provided details concerning Dawn's mental health and showed him around the house. Once the office left, Nutt attempted to cover the tracks of the suitcase that he had made in his back garden and went with neighbours to search for his wife.
Eventually, Nutt handed himself in and Dawn's body was soon discovered. West Yorkshire Police have now released footage containing some of Dawn's final moments as well as Nutt on his way to dispose of her body.
In the video, released after Nutt's sentencing, he and Dawn can be seen returning home on their wedding night. Dawn can be spotted wearing her wedding dress and carrying bags as she is followed from a taxi by Nutt who was wearing his wedding shirt and holding a cake box.
The footage shows the last time Dawn was ever seen alive as Nutt killed her later on that night. Further footage released by the force shows the moment Nutt dragged the suitcase he had put Dawn's body into through their garden.
He is later seen kicking the soil where he had earlier dragged the case in an attempt to hide his tracks. Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Amanda Wimbles of West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “Dawn Walker’s family have been left absolutely devastated by her death in such violent circumstances.
"This has been a dreadful crime, especially given the couple had only recently married. The prosecution and police rejected Nutt’s admission of manslaughter and always believed murder was the offence he should rightly stand trial for.
“Our thoughts continue to be with Dawn’s family, who have shown great dignity and strength through what has understandably been a devastating time for them. No verdict or sentence will bring Dawn back to her family. I hope however, that in getting justice they can begin to move forward with their lives.
“We encourage any victims of domestic abuse or coercive and controlling behaviour to come forward and report it to one of our specialist Safeguarding officers, who will listen and provide the necessary support.”
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