An abusive partner who denied killing his partner has been convicted of her murder.
James Campbell appeared at Newcastle Crown Court where a jury found him guilty of murdering Colette Myers inside the home they shared.
The court heard how Colette, 33, had been out with a friend on April 19 to visit the grave of her nine-week-old baby who passed away in 2007, before spending the day with a friend and returning home to her flat on Denwick Avenue at around 10.30pm.
Campbell claimed his partner had come home and gone to bed fine, but said he found her dead when he woke up the following morning.
Campbell, then 32, notified a neighbour who immediately called 999 at around 8am. When paramedics attended, Colette was sadly pronounced as deceased and Northumbria Police notified.
An investigation was launched by officers from the Force’s Major Investigation Team (MIT) and Campbell was arrested and taken into custody for questioning.
Following a Home Office Post Mortem, doctors ruled Colette’s head injury had been caused by ‘direct blunt trauma’ and Campbell was re-arrested, charged with murder and remanded in custody.
The 33-year-old of, Denwick Avenue in Lemington appeared at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday (Monday), following a nine-day trial where a jury found him guilty of murder.
He is due to be sentenced at the same court in the coming weeks.
Following Campbell’s conviction, the Myers family paid special tribute to Colette.
Their statement reads: “Colette was a much-loved sister, auntie, mother and friend. She was the life and soul of the party who would help anyone out, even if it meant she would go without.
“Colette had so much to live for, yet she was only 33 years old when she was brutally murdered by her live-in partner of ten years.
“Colette was the victim of domestic abuse, and her death could have been prevented if she had sought help. If you are a victim of domestic abuse, you may be feeling isolated, ashamed and alone. Please know you are not alone, and you are not to blame. Above all you do not have to suffer in silence – Please seek help.”
Speaking after the trial, the Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Louise Jenkins said: “This is a tragic loss for Colette’s family and I hope this verdict can bring them a sense of closure.
“Campbell has had multiple opportunities to admit his guilt but instead he has shown himself to be a cruel and dangerous man who allowed Colette’s family to sit through a difficult trial to get the answers they deserve.
“The court heard troubling and distressing details of Campbell’s abusive behaviour towards his partner which have ultimately escalated and resulted in her losing her life.
“I would like to also take this opportunity to say thank you to those witnesses who have come forward and provided us with written and verbal evidence documenting the abuse Colette suffered. It is clear Campbell is a violent and abusive man who deserves a lengthy sentence for what he has done and I am pleased he has been remanded.
“Any kind of violence is completely unacceptable and as a Force we will do all we can to bring perpetrators to justice.”
Det Ch Insp Jenkins added: “Domestic abuse is an absolute priority for the Force and we will always act on any information which comes our way. If you have any doubts about a partner or the partner of a loved one, please consider using the Clare’s Law tool.”