A MAN has been jailed for life for the murder of his partner after dumping her body in a ditch in Hopwood.
On Thursday June, 29 following a four week trial at Worcester Crown Court, Alan Edney, 31, of Kenilworth Road, Birmingham was found guilty and handed a life sentence for the murder of Kerry Owen, 35.
During Edney’s trial, the court heard how he had killed his partner in a savage beating before dumping her body in a ditch, which he attempted to conceal with grass cuttings.
Kerry’s body was later discovered by a man walking his dog on Wast Hills Lane in Hopwood on May 27, 2022.
The court also heard how Edney ‘spun a web of elaborate lies’ to cover his tracks, telling family members Kerry had been killed in a hit and run collision and that he had accompanied her body to hospital.
Edney even claimed he had been taken to a police station to give a statement about the collision.
The murderer was unaware a police investigation looking into the case had begun as soon as Kerry’s body was discovered, which promptly unraveled his lies and he was arrested on suspicion of murder.
Edney was sentenced to life in prison and will serve a minimum of 20 years.
Det Ch Insp Gerry Smith, who led the murder investigation said:
“Edney spent the hours after he had killed Kerry elaborately covering his tracks; instead of calling for an ambulance after he had brutally attacked her, he sought to cover her body and hide his
involvement.
“He later told officers in custody he had been in bed at the time Kerry was killed.
“However, our investigation uncovered Edney’s elaborate web of lies with extensive enquiries, which included forensic, house to house and CCTV enquiries.
“This proved his account was false and he was in fact responsible for her murder.
“Edney will now face the consequences of his violent and deceitful actions and while today’s verdict will not undo a horrific killing, I hope it brings some solace to Kerry’s family that justice has been done.”
