Norfolk: 22 years for murderer

12/04/2011

A man has today been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 22 years, after being found guilty of the murder of his wife.

Nicky Ward, 29, of Rockland St Peter had denied murdering 22-year-old Emma Ward last year.

However during the course of the trial at Norwich Crown Court, the jury heard that a significant amount of blood, hair and body matter that matched the DNA profile of Emma Ward had been found throughout the couples house.

Most significantly evidence was found of blood pooled in bedroom carpet underlay. There were also traces of Mrs Ward's bone and blood in an electric saw. However her body has never been found, the court heard.

A jury convicted Ward today and he was given a minimum 22 years prison sentence.

Andrew Baxter, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Eastern Area of the Crown Prosecution Service said:

"This is a tragic case where some months ago I authorised a charge of murder without the recovery of Emmas body. The case required a significant amount of work and resources, because Ward had gone to great lengths to cover his tracks, cleaning the scene of the killing, and disposing of the body.

"Detailed forensic work by the police and forensic scientists was able to reveal significant and compelling evidence of blood and DNA at his home which was the key to proving that Ward had been responsible for his wifes untimely death. It was not until the trial that Ward accepted that he had killed his wife when faced with overwhelming evidence, but even then did not accept that he was guilty of murder.

"The fact that Emmas body has yet to be found was not only challenging in terms of prosecuting the case, but made the case extremely traumatic for her family and friends. My thoughts and deepest sympathies are with them at this difficult time."