Man Sentenced To Life Imprisonment For Killing Bride And Stuffing Her Body Into Suitcase

Man Sentenced To Life Imprisonment For Killing Bride And Stuffing Her Body Into Suitcase

A life sentence was given to man who killed his newlywed hours after their wedding.

In a meadow not far from the couple’s home, Dawn Walker’s body was discovered in a suitcase that had been “dumped.”

Before killing her, stuffing her body in a cupboard, and taking a brief vacation, her husband Thomas Nutt, 52, had severely wounded the woman’s face and neck.

Following her murder, Nutt called the police to report his wife missing.

When Dawn went missing, locals in the nearby village of Lightcliffe became initially suspicious.

Four days later, locals discovered her body.

Although Nutt, also 52, was accused of killing Dawn between October 27, the couple’s wedding day, and October 31, 2021, the judge later ruled that the murder actually happened on their wedding night.

This month, he was found guilty of her homicide.

He was given a life sentence today, August 19, 2022, with a minimum term of 21 years, deducted for the 289 days he had been held in remand.

As he was given his punishment, the spectator gallery applauded.

In sentencing, his Honour Judge Johnathan Rose told Nutt: “The impact of the sudden and violent death at a time which should have been filled with happiness will no doubt have an effect on those that knew her. The victim impact statements lay bare how this has been for them.”

Judge Rose branded Nutt a “bully” and said he did not accept the killer was genuinely remorseful.

He went on to explain why he believed the murder took place on the night of their wedding.

He said: “I am quite sure that is the night you killed her. She didn’t answer calls from Kiera on morning of 28th. It was said she had lost her phone in the pub. There was no way of knowing whether that was true or whether you disposed of the phone.

“I am satisfied the texts sent to Kiera at 1am were sent by you. Kiera said the text was not in the language or style of her mother and of your admission you text her pretending to be Dawn on 31st October. Malcolm Crawshaw said at 11pm that evening he heard noises, bumps and thumps. He heard no voices. This went on for about an hour before there was quiet for the rest of the night.”

Judge Rose declared that he was certain that Dawn was killed in this vicious attack. He also described Nutt’s efforts to cover his tracks, including his initial refusal to call the police and his efforts to cover up the evidence left by the case he pulled her body out in.

He added: “It remains a mystery why you killed this woman who you had hours earlier took as your wife.”

Dawn had previously been to the police over an assault she suffered at Nutt’s hands but later tried to retract her statements, which Judge Rose told Nutt was “evidence of your control of a woman, even after you had used violence towards you and even after Kimberley Allcock warned her, a warning she tragically chose to ignore.”

Thomas Nutt’s ex-partner Kimberley Allcock previously said to The Mirror that Nutt is a nasty woman-hater who has also nearly killed her and that she tried to warn Dawn.

After Dawn Walker contacted Kimberley Allcock on Facebook to inquire as to why she had obtained a restraining order against him, Kimberley boldly made an effort to warn Dawn Walker.

Kimberley, 41, provided pictures of her wounds from a vicious beating and detailed Nutt’s ferocious rages.

Kimberley was informed by Dawn, 52, that Nutt “scared the crap out of her,” but regrettably, Dawn was unable to convince her to leave him. During the trial, the judge brought up Nutt’s mistreatment of Kimberley.

Dawn’s daughter Kiera Lee told jurors her mum had a feeling “something bad” would happen in the lead-up to her wedding and a neighbour said Dawn had messaged asking if she should “run.”

Nutt admitted killing his wife by pleading guilty to manslaughter during the trial at Bradford Crown Court, but he denied murder. Nevertheless, following a few hours of deliberation, the jury unanimously found the defendant guilty.

Because Nutt admitted to manslaughter, the judge reduced his punishment somewhat.

At the announcement of the verdict, Dawn’s relatives applauded.

As he was led away, Nutt muttered “f*** you”.