A murderous pub landlord, who fled to the Isle of Wight after killing his partner and stashing her body in a freezer has today been found guilty of her murder.
Michael Tucker, from Snettisham, Norfolk, shot his long term partner Rebecca Thorpe, 28, whilst she was in the bath at The Compasses Inn pub, which they ran together.
Tucker, 50, left her body in the hot water for at least two days in March 2010, before moving her decomposing body into an out-house.
The court heard today how Tucker was running out of explanations for the disappearance of Ms Thorpe, and how he fled to the Isle of Wight.
He was arrested after being tracked down to the Bernay Hotel in Sandown, where he registered under a false identity.
Following a week-long trial at Norwich Crown Court, the jury returned their verdict after just 45 minutes of deliberation.
Mr Tucker was sentenced this morning (Tuesday) to a life sentence, of which he will serve a minimum of 26 years.
