Man found guilty of murdering his wife in a hammer attack

A man has been convicted of murdering his wife in a ferocious hammer attack.

John Garner accepted killing his wife, Teresa Garner, but denied a murder charge at Mold Crown Court.

But on the eighth day of the trial he was found guilty of murder after a retirement of less than two hours.

Judge Rowlands said that Teresa Garner lost her life in "quite the most horrendous circumstances in her own home."

Garner, 51, admitted killing Teresa Garner in the bathroom of the house they shared near Holywell, Flintshire, on 24 October last year.

The jury heard how Garner then rang 999 and told the operator he had "murdered his Missus" who was found with 16 separate head wounds.

Garner was drunk when police arrived and told the court he had no recollection of killing his partner or dialling 999.

The defendant said "he idolised" his wife, and denied being jealous that his step-daughter's biological father had resumed contact with her and had visited the house.

Previous partners told the jury how the defendant had been threatening and violent towards them.

The court heard he had been jailed for assaulting one of them.

John Garner who now faces a life sentence, has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing, which is expected to take place next week.