Wife killer Paul Abbott committed suicide one year after brutal murder
A prisoner took his own life one year to the day he bludgeoned his wife to death, an inquest heard.
Paul Abbott was jailed for life with a 15-year minimum term in 2016 after he admitted murdering his wife Jackie.
But Abbott was found dead in HMP Long Lartin, in Worcestershire, on December 11, 2016.
Following a one-day inquest held at Worcestershire Coroner’s Court on Wednesday, a jury concluded his death was suicide.
On December 11, 2015, the attack saw Abbott strike his wife of 28 years, Jackie, at least 16 times with a hammer at their home in Netherton.
The 57-year-old was jailed at Wolverhampton Crown Court in July 2016, after admitting murder.
At the time of Abbott’s sentencing, the court was told his gambling, jealousy and controlling behaviour had dominated the relationship.
It emerged his wife had also been the victim of ‘sporadic’ violence from him – culminating in the frenzied attack which killed her in the house in Lodge Crescent.
A row over tickets to an Elvis tribute act sparked the assault, it was heard.
The couple, who ran a business near their home selling fishing, darts and snooker equipment with their two sons, had repeatedly argued over his gambling and her drinking during the final year of the victim’s life, prosecutor Mr Robert Price said.
Their sons, who had been at the family’s business in Hurst Lane, Brierley Hill, found their 54-year-old mother’s body in the back garden.
Oldest son Martyn then knocked his father to the ground outside after Abbott swung a punch at him.
Abbott immediately admitted his guilt when arrested, the court was told.
