Chapel End man who tortured girlfriend with blowtorch and pliers gets life

CHAPEL END MAN WHO TORTURED GIRLFRIEND WITH BLOWTORCH AND PLIERS GETS LIFE

Andrew Dexter, 33, from Chapel End, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, was convicted of the murder of his girlfriend Sharon Franklin after a disturbing campaign of violence.

Dexter had tortured Franklin with a blowtorch, burning her feet, and disfigured her nose using pliers.

Ms.

Franklin passed away a month following the attack, after being thrown to the ground.

Dexter pleaded guilty to manslaughter, causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and assault.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of seven years before he could be considered for parole.

During the post-mortem, it was revealed that Franklin, 32, had sustained severe injuries, including burns inflicted with a blowtorch while she was immobilized, and her nose was badly damaged by being squeezed with pliers.

The court heard that Dexter's relationship with Franklin, which began in 1988, was marred by violence, control, and humiliation, with her leaving him multiple times but always returning.

The judge, Mr.

Justice Hunt, highlighted the brutality of the acts, stating, "It's difficult to comprehend how someone can do such an act to someone who they profess to be devoted to." Prosecutor Robert Juckes QC described Dexter's controlling and threatening behavior, culminating in her death.

Dexter was described as carrying out a horrifying campaign of violence against Franklin, with the injuries detailed graphically at post-mortem and a court managing to establish the pattern of abuse that led to her tragic death.