Man strangled girlfriend to death after she nursed him through cancer

A man who strangled his girlfriend to death with a TV wire shortly after she helped him through a battle with cancer has been jailed for life.

'Monster' George Chalmers, 54, murdered Ruth Baker at his flat in Beeston, Leeds, after a night of drinking in March.

He pleaded guilty at Leeds Crown Court today as the court heard it was not the first time Chalmers had assaulted his partner, with assault convictions dating back to 1995.

The court heard the day of the murder, witnesses heard 'arguing', 'screaming' and a woman shouting for help. before Chalmers called 999 and admitted that he had just committed a murder at his address in Tempest Road.

Prosecutor Michael Smith said the killer claimed he had done it because Ruth had cheated on him and they had been arguing.  

Officers detained Chalmers as efforts were made to resuscitate his victim, who 'had visible facial and head injuries and had a blue complexion'.

An electrical cord was found wrapped twicce around Ruth's neck so tightly that it was cutting into her.

Mr Smith said that during his interview, Chalmers told officers: 'What's the point of having a solicitor I'm guilty aren't I? That's all I'm going to say to you, I'm guilty, take me back to my cell, that's all. She's dead, I killed her and that's it.'

Chalmers told officers he could not remember what led to the killing and did not know what had happened, claiming he had mental health issues and that some days Ruth would 'antagonise him by saying she was going to go off with somebody else'.

Mr Smith said: 'He said he didn't know if he had intended to kill her but agreed that wrapping a cord around someone's neck would cause harm. He admitted that she wouldn't have been a threat to him due to their very different physical states.'

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The court heard that in November last year - just two months after they met online -Ruth was left with bruising and 'two black eyes' after Chalmers attacked her during a romantic getaway close to her home in Carlisle.

The couple had rented a holiday flat near where cleaners found excrement on the floor and soft furnishings, as well as clumps of hair. 

In texts following the holiday, the court heard it became clear Chalmers had assaulted Ruth and she had sent him videos and images of her injuries.

In one text, she told him her daughter had seen her body and added: 'I told her I fell down the stairs. Don't worry I won't report you but you can't let this happen again to anyone else you meet.'

Chalmers replied: 'I'm sorry I know I'm a piece of s***. Hopefully I will die in my sleep to ease the pain.' He later messaged: 'I will never forget what I have done.'

In another message, Ruth described the assault, telling Chalmers: 'You punched me in the face and head.' In another text she said: 'I don't understand what would make you want to kill me... I thought I was going to die when you strangled me.'

In another she said: 'I have never seen anyone look so angry.'

Ruth's daughter Leah spoke to police after the murder and informed them of the November incident. The prosecutor added she did not approve of the relationship continuing, though Ruth forgave him.

Between that assault and Ruth's murder, Chalmers was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which Ruth supported him through. Medical reports found it had not affected his behaviour.

In a victim impact statement, Ruth's other daughter Nicole told the court her mother - who worked as a homeless accommodation assistant - 'did not deserve the vicious death brought upon her'.

She  added: 'It should have been a weekend of celebrations. Her youngest grandson was turning four the previous day and while most people were spending time with family, we spent the day in shock and horror as our family liaison officer had to try to explain why our mother wasn't returning.

'How are we as a family going to move on when the person who brought us into the world is no longer in it?

'Too many times I have grabbed my phone to tell her about something that has just happened and to send her pictures or talk to her, when I wake up for work only for the crushing realisation that it is not possible.

'She had so many plans and so many things she wanted to do. Her dancing days have been mercilessly taken from her. I fear I will never truly recover. We will just keep her star shining forever.'

Ruth's youngest  daughter, Leah, then-17 lived with her mother at the time of her death.

Leah described Chalmers as a 'monster' and said her mother 'had the gentlest and kindest of hearts'.

'It pains me that I have a whole life to lead that she won't be present for,' she added.

As well as her two daughters, Ruth is survived by a son and her father, as well as cousins, nieces and nephews.

In a victim impact statement, Ruth's son said he feels his 'heart has been ripped out', adding: 'No one had a bad thing to say about. She wouldn't see anyone suffer and would give help to anyone who needed it.'

The court was told Chalmers had previous convictions for common assault in 1995. It was said it was related to an incident where he grabbed his then-girlfriend around the neck, causing her to choke. She was released when she kicked out, causing him to lose his grip.

In 1997, he was convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm when he threatened to kill his girlfriend and squeezed her neck. The woman lost consciousness and Chalmers threw her onto a bed and into a wardrobe. 

He was striking a woman in the head in public in 2001, when he was snared for being drunk and disorderly.

Mitigating, Gill Batts submitted that there was 'no evidence of any degree of planning or pre-meditation' in Ruth's murder. 

She said: 'What the evidence does show is that the parties appeared to be on good terms on the journey from Carlisle to West Yorkshire.

'It appears this took place after the consumption of a significant amount of alcohol on both sides. He doesn't have an account to give in terms of what exactly took place.'

Recorder of Leeds His Honour Judge Guy Kearl handed Chalmers a life sentence and told him he will serve a minimum term of 17 years and six months, before he goes before the Parole Board to determine if he is safe to be released.  

The judge said: 'This was a sustained attack where physical injuries were inflicted upon her. You have a history of violence towards women. It can only be described as a savage and brutal attack.'

Speaking after Chalmers had been sentenced, Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent at West Yorkshire Police Emma Winfield, said: 'Our sympathies remain with the family of Ruth Baker at this very sad time. We hope that they can take some comfort in knowing that Chalmers has now been jailed for life.'

Ruth's family said: 'We would like to thank West Yorkshire Police and the prosecution team for all their hard work and the liaison officers for all the support we have been given over the past seven months. We are so grateful too for the love and support we have received from our family and close friends.

'We would like to take this opportunity to urge all those people who find themselves stuck in an unsafe relationship to find the strength to seek out support and find bravery to out before they too are taken from us unnecessarily.'