27/04/2009

Prison Officer Jailed For Life For Girlfriend Death

A Wigan prison officer has been jailed for life for killing his girlfriend.

Lee Shaun Lucas, 46, of Park Road, Golborne, admitted one count of murder at an earlier hearing.

He was jailed for a minimum of 16 years on Monday 27 April 2009.

Police were called to the Wigan Royal Infirmary shortly after 12.10pm on Saturday 20 September 2008, after Helen Lucas, 45, had been brought into hospital from her home on Park Road, Golborne.

A post mortem examination revealed that she died from trauma to her head and neck.

Helen and Lee had been dating for about 14 months. The couple weren't married but Helen had changed her name.

Both Helen and Lee worked as prison officers.

On the evening of Friday 19 September 2008, Helen and Lee went to a number of nearby pubs, starting at the Royal pub before moving onto the Sir Charles Napier.

The pair left the pub and went home at about 3am on Saturday 20 September 2008.

Lucas called the ambulance service at about 11am, claiming to have found Helen collapsed on the floor of the upstairs landing.

His account of what happened has changed numerous times, police said.

Senior Investigating Officer, Andy Tattersall, said: "Helen was a lively, popular woman with a large circle of friends and family, many of whom are still struggling to come to terms with her death.

"Although Lee has admitted killing Helen, it still remains unclear exactly what took place in their home when they got back from their night out.

"I believe he attacked Helen in the early hours of the morning, leaving her for dead and only bothering to call for help hours later. By then it was too late.

"He made considerable efforts to clean up after himself and make it look like an accident, but the injuries Helen suffered were so severe it was clear he was lying.

"She was battered by someone who was supposed to love her and look after her."

He concluded: "Lucas has proved he is a violent man but also a complete coward. Thankfully he will now spend many years behind bars where he belongs."

(JM/BMcc)

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