A 39-year-old man has been given a life sentence for murdering his 44-year-old partner by strangling her at their home in Mansfield.
Michael Foster, 39, formerly of St Johns Place in Mansfield was sentenced today (Monday September 10) at Nottingham Crown Court and will serve a minimum of 16 years.
On Friday (September 7), Foster was convicted of the murder of 44-year-old Paula Harris following a trial.
Speaking after Foster’s sentencing, Detective Sergeant Rob Wells said: “I hope this sentence and seeing justice served gives Miss Harris’ family and friends some comfort as they continue to deal with their loss.”
Miss Harris was last seen at the multi-occupancy flat complex at St Johns Place where she lived with Foster on January 28.
The following morning another occupant saw Foster locking the door to his flat with Foster telling him ‘she’s still asleep’.
That same morning. Foster sent a number of texts to an ex-partner in which he told her Miss Harris was dead and that he was ‘going to go back and clean up, then move her and report her missing in a couple of days’.
Police found her body after forcing entry to her flat which was locked; Foster had strangled her to death.
Foster had fled from the scene in Miss Harris’ Ford Fiesta and was making efforts to get help with funds.
Police found her car locked and unattended in Mansfield Woodhouse on January 30.
After receiving information, officers found Foster at a nearby address and arrested him.
