A man has been jailed for life for murdering his former gay lover following a heated row in Spain.
Stuart Martin, 29, from Brighton was found guilty of killing Francis Ottley, who was originally from Dover.
Martin, who denied the charges, was told by the judge at Maidstone Crown Court he would serve a minimum of 14 years before being considered for parole.
Mr Ottley’s body has never been found but the coach he had converted into a motor home was found burnt-out in Spain in 2005.
In a statement issued by Kent Police following the verdict, the 54-year-old’s sister Mary Harris, said: “These past months have been a great strain and a very sad and harrowing time for all of the family, having lost both our parents and now Francis within the space of 15 short months.
“To lose Francis in such a manner before his time has been particularly distressing.”
The court heard how Martin was addicted to class A drugs.
Spanish police do not have to investigate murders where no body has been found but friends of Mr Ottley were concerned and contacted Kent police.
A friend of Martin’s living in Hong Kong told the court how he had confessed to murdering his former lover.
Det Chief Insp Dean Barnes said: “The conviction of Stuart Martin for the murder of Francis Ottley brings a two-year investigation to an end.
“This investigation has had a truly multi-national dimension bringing together the prosecuting authorities in Kent, Spain and China, through Hong Kong.”
POSTED: 07/08/2007 09:20:38
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