The judge at Bristol Crown Court heard that on the day after Jacquie Kent's death Michael Wyatt called the police from a phone box and said "It's urgent you pick me up. I've killed my girlfriend."

He had added: "I'm from Swindon. I have found out my girlfriend has been seeing someone else so I cut her throat with a Stanley knife."

Asked how he knew she was dead he said: "The cut was not deep enough so I strangled her until she was dead."

When officers went to Mrs Kent's home they found her in bed as if she was asleep with the covers tucked around her.

The 47-year-old killer, of Danestone Close, Middleleaze, took a Stanley knife to the woman's home and slashed her neck on Monday, June 27 last year.

But the wound had not been deep enough and, following a 35-minute attack on Mrs Kent, 42, at her home in Lewis Close, Abbey Meads, he resorted to strangling her.

Wyatt, who admitted the murder, then attempted to commit suicide by swallowing Paracetamol and climbed into bed beside the dead woman he had idolised.

The court heard how Wyatt had previously been charged with the attempted murder of a former wife who he had cut with a kitchen knife after suspecting her of having an affair. However the charge was dropped.

Michael Fitton, defending, said Wyatt accepted the murder was "borne out of jealousy" and said he had come to court to take responsibility for his actions.

Jailing Wyatt, Mr Justice Pitchford told him: "You met Jacqueline Kent in 2004 through a dating agency. You developed a relationship which on your side was intense and verging, in my view, on the obsessional.

"She made it quite clear to you she wanted relationships with other men and you understood exactly what she meant. I say that because I have read significant passages from your diary.

"I accept she continued to see you, enjoyed your company and your sexual relationship with her was briefly renewed in April and June.

"On your side you continued to have sexual relationships with other women.

"During the weekend on June 25 and 26 you were aware you were being fobbed off. She was seeing another man.

"The idea she was enjoying sexual relations with this man was an anathema to you.

"Early in the morning of June 27 you decided she had to die. You went to her home. She thought it was a normal meeting between the two of you, but it was not.

"Your attack on her lasted on your estimate 35 minutes. You could have at any stage desisted but you were determined."

Jealousy was motive.

SPURNED lover Michael Wyatt was "cold and calculating" in his evil pursuit of Jacquie Kent, say police.

Detective Sergeant Debbie Waters, of Swindon CID, who led the investigation, said Wyatt had abused Jacquie and Daniel's trust.

"She trusted Wyatt as a friend and so did Daniel," said DS Waters.

"This was a pre-arranged meeting he had planned what he had intended to do and taken the Stanley knife along with him."

DS Waters echoed the judge's comments and said jealousy was the most likely motive.

"They met each other at a speed dating event, but what followed was a friendship rather than a relationship," she said. Jacquie was in the early stages of a relationship and Wyatt was very jealous."

DS Waters said she was impressed with the composure maintained by Jacquie's family.

"They remained very strong throughout the investigation."

Time line.

  • April 2004: Jacquie Kent meets Michael Wyatt at a speed-dating event in Swindon
  • June 28, 2005: Police find Jacquie dead at her home in Lewis Close, Abbey Meads, after Wyatt dials 999 from Watford and confesses to her murder
  • July 1: Jacquie's distraught family deliver an emotional press conference
  • July 2: Wyatt makes his first appearance at Swindon Magistrates' Court. He speaks only to confirm his name, age and address
  • July 7: Wyatt appears before Bristol Crown Court. He enters no plea and case is adjourned
  • July 20: Jacquie is cremated at Kingsdown Crematorium. No black was worn and donations were made to Prospect Foundation
  • August 8: Friends and family of the murdered mum organise a week of events to raise cash for her son Daniel
  • August 15: Jacquie's parents, Valerie, 68, and Geoff, 71, thank the people of Swindon for their on-going support
  • January 27, 2006: Wyatt admits murder and is given a life sentence