Nurse found guilty of wife's murder

A Merseyside nurse who strangled his wife and tried to make it look as though she died in a car crash was convicted of murder.

Brent Mott, 32, claimed he was acting in self-defence when he throttled Kate, 35, with her own pyjama top during a row over their divorce settlement, Liverpool Crown Court heard.

Mott, who was planning a new life in Australia, then dressed his wife and put her in the family car and staged a crash in a farmer's field near their home in Southport, Merseyside.

The jury of nine men and three women took three and a half hours to convict the killer.

As the jury foreman delivered the verdict, Mott, dressed in a blue suit and shirt, nodded his head.

The Recorder of Liverpool, Judge Henry Globe QC, said the father-of-two would be jailed for life, but the minimum term he will serve will be decided on Wednesday.

Outside court this afternoon, the victim's family issued a statement paying tribute to her: "Kate was a lovely caring person who always thought of others before herself."

Her tragic death has devastated us as a family and she is greatly missed by all those who knew her.

"We would like to thank Merseyside Police for the hard work and continued support throughout this very emotional and traumatic time.

"Today's result comes as a huge relief to us. We can now begin to pick up the pieces and move forward to provide a safe and secure future for the children and Kate can now rest in peace."

Mott murdered the mother of his children, Olivia and Lewis, in the early hours of 21 January this year at their home in Everard Road, Southport.