GEORGE LEATHER JAILED FOR LIFE FOR WIFE’S BRUTAL MURDER
A man described as jealous and controlling has been sentenced to at least 18 years in prison after inflicting extensive injuries on his wife, Paula Leather.The injuries included approximately 50 to 100 to her face and neck, and between 200 and 300 to her body.
George Leather, aged 60, was found guilty of her murder following the stabbing death of his wife at their residence in Prescot, Merseyside, on November 16, 2020.
The court was informed that Leather had maintained an abusive and controlling relationship with Paula for several years prior to the fatal assault.
When law enforcement officers arrived at the couple's home around 1:20 am, they discovered Paula Leather in a critically injured state; she was later pronounced dead from multiple stab wounds to the head.
The attack involved Leather inflicting numerous injuries, with numbers reaching up to 100 on her face and neck and hundreds elsewhere on her body.
Although Leather initially denied the charges, he changed his plea to guilty during the trial.
Judge Andrew Menary QC sentenced him to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 18 years, describing the violence as ‘unspeakable and barbaric savagery’.
Detective Chief Inspector Helen Bennett described the incident as profoundly disturbing and expressed sorrow for Paula Leather’s family, which includes her children Jason, Jessica, and Matthew.
They remembered her as a ‘beautiful soul’ who was always supportive and had a smile capable of ‘lighting up the world’, underlining the need to highlight domestic abuse issues and support resources available to victims.
