Shrewsbury man jailed for murdering his partner
A man from Shrewsbury has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for the murder his partner at her workplace in December 2014.
Nigel James Woolley, aged 46, of Buttington Road, Shrewsbury, was found guilty of murdering Julie Mercer.
Woolley had pleaded guilty to her manslaughter but the jury at Worcester Crown Court found him guilty of murder.
The body of Julie Mercer, aged 47, from Shrewsbury, was discovered by a colleague at a business premises on Featherbed Lane, Shrewsbury, where she worked as an administrator, on the morning of Christmas Eve 2014.
The jury heard that Woolley attacked Julie at the premises the night before leaving her with injuries including a lacerated pancreas and haemorrhaging that led to her death.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson said: "We welcome today's sentence. Woolley subjected Julie to a vicious and violent attack that left her with horrendous injuries. Our thoughts today are with her family and friends. She died needlessly at the hands of a dangerous and violent man."
Julie was a victim of domestic violence. West Mercia Police wants to ensure more victims of domestic violence and abuse know how they can get the support they need.
DCI Jamieson added: "Domestic violence and abuse can take many forms including psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional. The sad fact is that a victim experiences an average of 35 incidents of domestic violence and abuse before they report it.
"There's a great deal of professional advice and support for people in unhealthy, confrontational, abusive and violent relationships and these are available free of charge. Whether you are a woman or a man, you should not have to suffer or endure verbal or physical abuse from a partner or relative and I would urge anyone experiencing these kinds of issues not to suffer in silence but instead speak out."
Jan Frances, Chief Executive at West Mercia Women's Aid, commented: "It is tragic that women are still dying at the hands of their partners and former partners, in spite of the best efforts of the police and support services such as Women's Aid. In many cases, women are not aware of the support that is available, such as access to refuges or our Independent Domestic Violence Advisors, who can help victims at high risk from violence to put in place an effective safety plan. If you are worried by your partner's behaviour or afraid of his actions, please ring the 24hr helpline on 0800 783 1359. We can help you."
