Murderer Anthony Patrick Campbell loses bid to cut prison term

A man who admitted throttling his estranged wife to death after she told him of a new relationship has lost a Court of Appeal challenge to his 15-year minimum jail term.

Anthony Patrick Campbell (46) struggled to cope with the break-up with his wife, Rhonda, 38, and murdered her at her home in Melton in November 2009.

He admitted the killing at Leicester Crown Court in March 2010 and was handed the 15-year minimum term as part of a sentence of life imprisonment.

Yesterday, Lord Justice Davis, Mr Justice King and Mr Justice Kenneth Parker said the term was justified because Campbell had intended and was determined to kill Rhonda.

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The court heard her body was found on the floor of a bedroom at her home in Ash Grove, Melton, having been throttled with a belt or rope.

Shortly afterwards, Campbell, of Adcock Road, New Parks, in the city, confessed to his family, but they did not believe him and he went to Skegness, where he checked into a guesthouse.

However, he later admitted to police what he had done, saying he and Rhonda had a fight after she told him she had begun seeing another man.

Dismissing his appeal, Lord Justice Davis said Campbell had taken steps to make it difficult for investigators, taking away evidence and snapping a key in his wife's front door lock.

He said: "It is quite plain that the appellant had harboured thoughts of hostility towards the deceased.

"He was clearly determined on the night in question to ensure she died.

"Real pain and suffering was being inflicted on the victim in her last moments and she was desperately trying to break free of the rope or belt being used.

"The suffering must have been very real indeed."

Campbell can only be freed after serving his 15-year minimum if the Parole Board is convinced he is no longer a danger to the public.