Sussex man jailed for life for murder of estranged wife
Raymond Hoadley tried to gain more than ÂŁ1 million in savings
Last updated 23rd Feb 2021
A Sussex man who murdered his estranged wife in a bid to gain control of more than ÂŁ1 million of her savings has been jailed for life.
Raymond Hoadley attacked 56-year-old Jacqueline Hoadley, a prominent disability campaigner, after climbing over a fence and into her house in Broad Oak Close in Eastbourne on July 4th, 2020.
The 62-year-old, of Willowfield Road in the town, was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on Monday (February 22nd) after being unanimously found guilty of murder at Hove Crown Court on January 22nd.
Judge Jeremy Gold QC told Hoadley that his motive for murdering Jacequeline was financial gain and had used a knife in the killing.
Judge Gold also commended the police for their investigation into the case and bringing Hoadley to justice.
The court heard that on July 5th, 2020, police launched a murder investigation after the body of 58-year-old Jacqueline was discovered inside her Eastbourne home which she shared with her two children.
Police and ambulance paramedics were called to Broad Oak Close after a visitor to the house raised the alarm.
Jacqueline suffered multiple injuries across her body and was declared dead at the scene.
Hoadley was arrested an hour later and following a fast-time investigation by officers, was charged with murder four days later.
The jury found Raymond guilty of murder after deliberating just over two hours.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Andy Wolstenholme from the Sussex and Surrey Major Crime Team said:
“We welcome the sentencing of Raymond Hoadley for murdering his estranged wife Jacqueline Hoadley in a brutal and calculated attack.
"Hoadley has consistently denied his involvement, even in the wake of overwhelming evidence.
"He believed that he had planned his crime with sufficient depth, hiding his lies within elements of truth with enough plausibility to conceal his guilt. But he hadn’t, the Major Crime Team always saw through his lies and conducted a meticulous investigation including hours of CCTV and large volumes of forensic evidence through which we were able to prove conclusively, that Hoadley was Jacqueline’s killer.
"In court Hoadley chose not to give evidence, and despite a vociferous defence, the jury were able to see the truth.
"All members of the team has been touched by Jacqueline’s commitment to advancing the rights of disabled children, as well as opening her heart and home to her children who she loved and cared for unconditionally.
"Jacqueline’s family have been incredibly strong throughout and have been very supportive of the investigation, for which we thank them.
"The whole police team feel proud to have brought this case on Jacqueline’s behalf, and hope that Jacqueline’s memory lives on through her devoted children and family.”