A MURDERER who beat a woman to death in her own home and hid her body underneath a pile of towels has been caged for life.
Matthew Battenbough, 33, attacked animal lover Leanne Williams, 47, using a knife, scissors and a frying pan in the brutal assault.
Police found Leanne’s body hidden beneath a pile of towels at her own home[/caption]
Mathew Battenbough was arrested and charged with her murder[/caption]
Leanne was found dead in her own home on Gomer Road, Swansea on February 27 after Battenbough hid her body under a pile of towels.
A post-mortem examination found she had suffered “significant injuries.”
A court heard that Leanne had been the subject of a “frightening, savage and continued attack.”
Battenbough pleaded guilty to the murder but has never explained why he killed Leanne.
The court was told that the savage killing had involved “sexual conduct.”
Investigators were not able to determine whether this was consensual or not or whether Leanne was alive when it took place.
Battenbough was slapped with a life sentence for his vile crimes.
In Swansea Crown Court he was today told he would serve a minimum of 20 years and 114 days behind bars.
Speaking today Judge Paul Thomas KC said Leanne was “particularly vulnerable” as she suffered from drug and alcohol addiction.
Speaking after the sentence, Detective Inspector David Butt said: “The news of Leanne’s death was devastating to her family and to the wider communities of Townhill and Swansea.
Police found Leanne at her home on on Gomer Road, in the Townhill area of Swansea[/caption]
Battenbough was slapped with a life sentence for his vile crimes[/caption]
“Matthew Battenbough’s actions took Leanne’s life, tore apart the lives of her family and also caused immense distress to his own family.
“We hope that this sentence offers some comfort to Leanne’s family and friends.
“I would like to thank the community of Townhill for the way that they assisted and supported the investigation during what was a very sad and difficult time.”
Leanne’s heartbroken family remembered her fondly as an animal lover.
Her grieving relatives added that the “beautiful, strong and kind” woman would be “missed dearly.”
The family said: “Leanne was beautiful, strong, and kind. She loved nature and animals and had a special connection to horses.
“She aspired to help others by giving them the opportunity to access specially-trained horses and ponies who were sensitive to mental health and other issues.
“She will be missed dearly.
“We would like to thank South Wales Police for their continued support and the due diligence of the investigation team.”
Matthew Battenbough will serve a minimum of 20 years behind bars[/caption]
