Teacher who murdered partner and buried him in garden jailed for at least 20 years

A primary school teacher who murdered her partner and buried his body in their garden was jailed for a minimum of 20 years.

Fiona Beal, 50, fatally stabbed builder Nicholas Billingham, 42, her partner for 17 years, after he had an affair.

She then lied that she had tested positive for Covid-19 and was required to self-isolate to give her time to dispose of the body.

Mr Billingham's mummified remains were found in the garden of the Northampton home he shared with Beal in March 2022, four months after he had last seen his family.

Beal initially pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter due to loss of control but admitted murder partway through her trial at the Old Bailey.

The Recorder of London, Judge Mark Lucraft KC, jailed her for life with a minimum term of 20 years.

The judge said: "Having moved and buried the body in the garden you then lied to his mother, numerous friends, all his family and yours as to what you had done and where he was."

"There was lie after lie," he added.

The judge's sentencing remarks can be read in full at: https://www.judiciary.uk/judgments/r-...

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