A KILLER who throttled his landlady to death after having sex with her has been jailed for life.
Barman Tyrone Bates, who grew up in Mid Cheshire, was found guilty of murder by a 10-2 majority verdict at Truro Crown Court last week.
The 33-year-old was sentenced to a minimum of 14 years behind bars at Exeter Crown Court on Wednesday.
Bates had admitted strangling 50-year-old Stella Gleadall in her St Ives home in November, 2007 – but he denied murder.
He claimed he was provoked when he woke to find the mother-of-three on top of him having sexual intercourse, after he had earlier rebuffed her advances.
Bates went to Barnton Primary School and left Hartford High with six GCSEs, including As in art and music. He later studied art and design at college in Northwich.
A pathologist told the court Mrs Gleadall had 32 bruises and abrasions on her body and she had been suffocated.
After the hearing the Gleadall family said in a statement they were ‘satisfied that justice has been served’.
Judge Cottle said the 470 days Bates has served on remand will be deducted from his sentence.
