Man murdered partner hours after she called police

Adam Barnard claimed Tara Kershaw died while he restrained her

A man who killed his partner 24 hours after his arrest for violence towards her has been found guilty of her murder.

Tara Kershaw, 33, died on 19 January at a house in multiple occupancy where the pair lived in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

Adam Barnard, 41, had been arrested the day before the mother-of-two died, after she had called police saying he was violent towards her.

Norfolk Police described Barnard as "controlling and manipulating" and said it had referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which was conducting an investigation.

A post-mortem examination found Tara Kershaw died from compression of the neck

History of neck injuries

Barnard had claimed Ms Kershaw had assaulted him with a lamp while he slept and that he had been restraining her when she died.

The jury heard he "came to" after a seizure and found his arm on her throat when he had been sleeping off a drink and drugs binge.

He also accused Ms Kershaw of deliberately trying to trigger his epilepsy.

A post-mortem examination found Ms Kershaw's death was consistent with compression to the neck and there was evidence of injuries to the bones of her neck four to seven weeks, five to 10 days and less then six hours before she had died.

Speaking after Barnard was found guilty, police said they had had previous contact with the couple, including a call made by Ms Kershaw at about 18:00 GMT on 18 January.

She phoned officers in the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) and told them Barnard had hit her on the lip.

Barnard was arrested on suspicion of common assault, taken in for questioning and released at 22:50 GMT, with no further action taken.

He claimed their engagement had been called off that day and he had "asked for the ring back".

Another resident of the property on Princes Road described it as a "madhouse" where drink and drugs were often consumed

'I think I've killed my partner'

The following day - the day of the murder - police safeguarding staff from MASH and an independent domestic violence adviser called her mobile three times to check on her welfare, with the calls unanswered, police said.

Barnard then approached an officer outside Great Yarmouth police station, shortly before 09:00 GMT the next day, 20 January, and said: “I think I’ve killed my partner.”

He claimed he did not know how long he had pinned down Ms Kershaw and had attempted to resuscitate her, then covered her with a blanket and passed out on the bed.

Barnard told officers he woke up the next morning, panicked and left the property.

Det Insp Alix Wright said: “Our thoughts today, as they have been throughout our investigation, are with Tara, her family and friends and although I am pleased with this verdict, I also know nothing will ever bring her back and take away their pain.

“Barnard was a controlling and manipulating murderer who preyed on Tara, exploited her feelings and her vulnerabilities.

“Whenever she attempted to ask for help from authorities, she felt threatened by Barnard.

"He deserves to be behind bars.”

Barnard is due to be sentenced on Monday.