Husband who stabbed wife hundreds of times in barbaric attack is jailed

Emergency services were called to Tinling Close in Prescot to reports that 56-year-old Paula Leather had been found seriously injured at around 1.20am on Monday, November 16 2020.

Her death was confirmed a short time later.

Mrs Leather, who worked at Asda in St Helens, had suffered around 50 to 100 injuries to her face and neck and between 200 to 300 injuries to her body.

A post-mortem concluded she died from stab wounds to the head.

Her husband, George Leather, was arrested at the scene and charged with murder.

Paula Leather

Today, at Liverpool Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Speaking on behalf of Mrs Leather’s family, Detective Chief Inspector Helen Bennett, said: “This was truly a horrific and violent assault which resulted in a devoted mum and nan losing her life at the hands of her husband.

“Mrs Leather’s three children, Jason, Jessica and Matthew, have been devastated by their loss and have struggled to come to terms with the brutal manner in which she died.

“This was not a one-off violent attack.

"George Leather was an unjustifiably jealous and controlling man and while there were no previous reports to police, the family believe that Paula had been in an abusive and controlling relationship with her husband for a number of years.

“Together with Merseyside Police, they want to raise awareness of the support that is available to anyone who is or has experienced domestic abuse or has been affected by it in order that nobody else has to suffer or silence or go through what they have been through.

“For anyone who is in a controlling relationship with an abusive partner but financially tied through a mortgage or tenancy, there are confidential support services available to help you and their children.

“If home is not a safe place for you then we want you to know that you are not alone and you do not have to stay at home if it is not safe to be there.”

DCI Bennett added: “Merseyside Police is committed to working with our communities and partners to tackle violence against women and girls and will continue to work closely with our local communities and partners to assess how we can work together going forward.

“We will continue to work with women who are subjected to sexual harassment, or physical, or violent abuse so we can identify offenders and make the streets safer for women who live and work in our communities.

Paula Leather

“We as a society do need to take a strong stance against such attacks on women and we completely understand the concerns of women who feel vulnerable.

"Women should be empowered to live their lives without fear of sexual objectification, harassment, or physical and mental abuse, but we can only achieve that by working together.

“If you are in immediate danger, always call 999.

"If you ring 999 and are not in a safe position to speak to us then cough, or tap, the phone and press 55, when prompted. This will alert the operator that you need assistance and we will provide support.

"Alternatively there is a new scheme to help victims called “Ask for Ani” which gives victims an opportunity to reach out for help at pharmacies, including Boots, without making their situation obvious to other members of the public, or alerting their abuser. Victims who ask for Ani I want to appeal to family, friends and neighbours who strongly suspect that someone is being subjected to domestic abuse to tell us, or to urge their loved ones to make the right decision for their own safety and peace of mind.

"Protecting our most vulnerable communities is one of the force’s priorities and we realise that being able to support and advise victims of domestic abuse has never been more important that it is now."

Following Paula's death last year, tributes came pouring in, including from Asda St Helens, where she worked for 25 years.

In a statement in November, a spokesperson for the St Helens store said: "Paula was a much loved member of the team having first joined in 1995 and was well liked by customers and colleagues alike.

"Paula will be sorely missed by everyone at Asda St Helens and our thoughts go out to her family and friends at this incredibly sad time.’’

Mrs Leather’s family has launched a Justgiving page to raise money for the organisation Refuge which helps people needing help in escaping domestic violence.

The link can be found here: https://justgiving.com/fundraising/paulaleather

If you have any non-urgent information on domestic abuse – if you are a victim or believe someone you know is a victim - you can contact direct message @MerPolCC on Twitter, ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook or contact @CrimestoppersUK, anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Further support can also be found at these national agencies:

Women’s Aid | womensaid.org.uk | 0808 200 0247 (24 hours) https://www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/

Refuge (includes information for men) | refuge.org.uk | 0808 200 0247 (24 hours)

National Domestic Violence helpline on 0808 200 0247(24 hours)