A WIRRAL mum was brutally murdered by her jealous and controlling partner less than 24 hours after he was released from prison after he mistakenly believed she had been unfaithful to him.

Anthony Blye was today sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 19 years for the murder of mother of two Kay Diamond.

Wirral Globe:

Kay Diamond 

The 44-year-old, from Greasby, was found dead in the flat she had been sharing with Blye in Greenhey Gardens in Toxteth on the morning of Saturday, February 28.

She had suffered "blunt force trauma to the head" and was covered from head to toe in extensive bruising.

Judge David Aubrey said: “You brutally killed a defenceless and vulnerable woman in her own home.

“The assault was prolonged and vicious.”

Liverpool Crown Court heard how Blye used his foot as well as a weapon - believed to have been a dog lead - in the brutal beating.

The attack came against the background of domestic violence, with Ms Diamond having been subjected to numerous assaults at the hands of Blye over the last 12 months.

The 52-year-old had only been released from prison the day before Ms Diamond’s death after serving half of a 28-day sentence for breaching a domestic violence prevention order put in place to protect her.

Within 24 hours of his release, Ms Diamond was dead.

The court heard how Blye had flown into a jealous “explosive rage” after mistakenly believing Ms Diamond had been unfaithful during his time in prison.

He had gone to a friend’s house on the evening of his release where he consumed a large amount of alcohol as well as taking crack cocaine and cannabis and described how he was “going to f-ing batter her, going to f-ing kill” Ms Diamond.

Brian Cummings QC, prosecuting, said: “He was convinced that, during his absence in prison, Ms Diamond had been sleeping with another man and spending his, the defendant’s, money.”

Judge Aubrey described the relationship as “volatile and turbulent” and said he had no doubt that Ms Diamond was in an “extremely abusive relationship”.

He said: “You are a controlling and dominant man who was in a rage in consequence of your perception that your partner was not behaving in the manner that you demanded or expected of her.”

Judge Aubrey says only Blye knows how Ms Diamond died.

The court heard how Blye had tried to cover his tracks after the “sustained and brutal attack upon her”.

Blye – who has 35 previous convictions for numerous offences including dishonesty, ABH, and supplying Class A drugs - lied and told friends and the police that he had returned home after taking the dog for a walk to find Ms Diamond in an “unresponsive” state.

He told police she had been attacked by another man – the man he believed she had been having an affair with.

But this was not the case and Blye changed his plea to guilty on what would have been the first day of his trial on Monday.

Christopher Tehrani QC, defending, told the court how Blye had had a “difficult upbringing” which may have led to his decision to abuse alcohol and drugs.

Mr Tehrani said: “He wishes to apologise to Kay Diamond’s family for having killed her and causing them so much pain and grief. He says in all the years he knew her family, they showed him nothing but kindness towards him.”

The court heard victim impact statements from Ms Diamond’s mother and sister which told of the immense suffering they have endured since her murder.

The suffering was made worse when Ms Diamond’s eldest child, 16-year-old Rachelle Owen, took her own life on the railway line on Hoylake two months after her mum’s death.

Wirral Globe:
Tributes left for Rachelle Owen in Hoylake.

Judge Aubrey said Ms Diamond’s murder was the catalyst for Rachelle’s death.

He said: “She had spent the last two months of her young life grieving for her mother. While this court is not aware of all of the circumstances, there can surely be no doubt that her mother’s death was weighing heavily upon her mind.

“It’s unimaginable the pain and the grief that the family had to bare as a result of losing two of their loved ones. Their lives have changed forever as a result of that which you did.”

He added: “This offence was committed in an explosive rage. The offence was committed while you were in a jealous rage in consequence of your misguided perception that she had been unfaithful to you.”

Blye sobbed in the dock and said “I’m sorry, I’m sorry” as he was led away.

He must serve 19 years before he will be considered for release.