Jealous boyfriend brutally attacked partner then drowned her in bath after she told him she was leaving him for man she met on Turkish holiday
Violent thug murdered his on-off partner of 19 years while their son listened downstairs
A JEALOUS boyfriend viciously attacked his partner then drowned her in the bath after she said she was leaving him.
Violent thug Desmond Thomas, 51, murdered Laura Holden, 35, before trying to take his own life.
Thomas was yesterday sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to Laura's murder on August 3 last year.
Birmingham Crown Court heard that Thomas carried out the brutal assault on his partner of 19 years while their young son, aged 9, listened downstairs at Laura's home.
Laura's body was found shortly after by her sister and 17-year-old daughter.
The court heard how Laura, who had an on-off relationship over 19 years with Thomas, wanted to end the relationship and had met someone else on a recent holiday.
But Thomas refused to accept that their relationship was over.
After committing the murder, Thomas told the couple's son not to go in the bathroom.
He rang his sister but couldn't get through so he ran to a nearby relative for help.
Thomas was found nearby shortly after having attempted suicide. He was taken to hospital and then into custody.
In a statement Laura's family said: "We take some comfort in the sentence passed today although it will be nothing like the life sentence we now have to live with.
"Our beautiful daughter, mother, sister, auntie, cousin and friend can only live in our memories now.
"There are no words to describe the horror we have had to go through over the past months and I hope none of you ever have to experience it.
"We will go on with our lives because we have too but there will forever be that void where Laura should be.
"We would like to thank the police, our homicide case worker and our barrister Mr Price for their hard work and support throughout this ordeal."
Detective Inspector Warren Hines added: "This has been a truly horrific time for Laura's family who are struggling to come to terms with what has happened to them and I cannot imagine the sense of loss they feel.
"I hope the sentence will be of some comfort to them and help them rebuild their lives."