River murder couple jailed for life

Muriel Southall, 60, and Michael Whitcombe denied playing any part in the death of 62-year-old Reginald Southall, who was found drowned in the River Severn in Stourport, Worcestershire, in 2007.

But at Worcester Crown Court, Mr Justice Treacy told the defendants they would each serve a minimum of 18 years in prison.

A jury took just four hours to unanimously convict them of murder and perverting the course of justice after hearing that Mr Southall, a grandfather who had been married for more than 40 years, was subjected to severe violence before being dumped in the river.

Whitcombe, of Four Acres Caravan Park, Worcester Road, Stourport, and Southall, of Stourport Caravan Park, Redstone Lane, also in Stourport, remained silent as Mr Justice Treacy told them they had committed "a wicked murder".

He said: "You have both been convicted of a wicked murder of a man who both of you had betrayed.

"You, Muriel Southall, betrayed your husband of over 40 years, the father of your son, the grandfather of your grandchildren. You, Michael Whitcombe, betrayed a man who had extended the hand of friendship to you in your hour of need ... and who thought of you as a brother.

"You both contested your guilt to the bitter end ... and have both been revealed in this trial as liars and perjurers. I am sure that for at least a day or two before Reginald Southall's death, you had decided what you were going to do and were planning it."

Prosecutor Timothy Raggatt QC told the trial that the lovers worked together to "get rid of the unwanted husband" after meeting when the Southalls sold their home in Pensnett, near Dudley, and moved to a caravan park where Whitcombe worked as a warden.

During the six-week trial the jury heard that Mr Southall died as a result of drowning but a post-mortem examination showed he sustained significant injuries before he entered the water.