LIVERPOOL MAN GETS LIFE FOR BRUTAL MURDER OF SOLICITOR
A man has received a life sentence for the murder of Linda Bakewell, a solicitor from Liverpool, after her body was found concealed in the trunk of his vehicle.The jury at Chester Crown Court convicted Philip Martins of both smothering and strangling the 45-year-old, who was an executive at a legal firm.
Martins, aged 48 and from Widnes, Cheshire, denied committing murder, asserting that she had accidentally suffocated during oral sex.
Nevertheless, the court was told that he most likely caused her death when she declined his sexual advances.
He was ultimately sentenced to serve at least 18 years in prison.
Evidence revealed that Martins, a machine operator, either strangled or suffocated her before leaving her in his car for four days, during which her relatives, friends, and police conducted a search.
The judge criticized Martins’ actions as 'quite disgraceful' and behavior as contemptible, especially given that the victim was 'besotted' with him.
Ms Bakewell, described as a modest woman with a zest for life, had met Martins in 2006 through mutual friends.
The prosecution alleged she was infatuated with Martins, a divorced man of three children, who manipulated her affections and financial resources.
She was last seen with Martins at a pub in Widnes before they drove to an industrial area, where he continued drinking.
Her body was discovered in the trunk of his car, while her family anxiously awaited her return, unaware she was dead at Martins’ home.
Despite her death, Martins showed little concern, failing to seek help during the four days following the murder.
