Greater Manchester Police Inspector found guilty of murdering his police detective wife
Darren McKie killed his wife Leanne in September last year before dumping her body in a lake in Poynton Park.
Last updated 23rd Mar 2018
A Greater Manchester Police Inspector has been found guilty of murdering his wife - who was also a detective with the force.
43-year old Darren Mckie admitted his wife Leanne's manslaughter - but the jury found him guilty of murder following a trial at Chester Crown Court.
Pathologist reports found McKie had strangled her before dumping his wife's body in a lake in Poynton Park.
The court heard how the family were more than 100-thousand pounds in debt and Leanne had no idea.
The 39-year old mum of three found out her husband had been applying for loans in her name behind her back on 29th September 2017. When she confronted him, he killed her.
Police received a 999 call at 3.45am the next morning when a passerby found Leanne Mckie's body in a lake on Poynton Park.
The prosecution argued during the trial that McKie had got rid of Leanne's phone and her Mini - which he used to driver her to the lake.
Cheshire Police Detective Superintendent Aaron Duggan says Darren Mckie's "downfall" was when he was stopped by two Cheshire police officers as he walked home after dumping her body in the early hours of the morning.
The court heard at around 1.30am - McKie was stopped by Bletchley Park Way and lied to them claiming he lived there.
At 2.15am - he was stopped by the same officers on Moor Lane. They became suspicious as McKie wasn't wearing any shoes.
He told the officers he had taken them off and thrown them away as his feet were rubbing.
The court heard traces of Leanne's blood was later found on his trainers which Cheshire Police found in a bin on Moor Lane.
The two Cheshire police officers took McKie home where they discovered he had left their three children alone.
McKie told them he and his wife were both serving officers with Greater Manchester Police and he'd gone out looking for her as he feared she'd had an accident.
They asked McKie to use the "Find My Phone" app on his iphone to trace Leanne's mobile.
It was found by Cheshire Police with 5% battery life left near Paddock Hill Lane.
Shortly after 5am, Cheshire Police returned to his home where they saw clothes were being cleaned in a washing machine.
McKie was then arrested on suspicion of his wife's murder.
Following the conclusion of the case today Leanne’s parents, Ellen and Ray Dodd, said: “Justice has been served today. Our lives will never be the same again. There are no winners in this trial. We have lost our beautiful daughter and our grandchildren have lost their beloved mummy.
“We would like to thank our family and friends for their love and support they have given us through these tragic times. Also Leanne’s friends and her colleagues from work for all their kind words.
“We cannot thank Cheshire Police enough for all their hard work and dedication. Last of all we would like to thank our two liaison officers for their professionalism and guidance through these last six months we are so grateful.