Man jailed for life for murdering partner

Clare Burns was murdered by her partner, Leonard Lee Stewart

A man has been jailed for life for murdering his partner.

Clare Burns, 51, was found dead on 7 April after police were called to an address on Queens Road in Harpurhey, Manchester at 04:07 BST.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said her partner Leonard Lee Stewart, 55, of Queens Road, Manchester, was "not witnessed performing CPR or trying to come to Ms Burns' assistance", and was arrested at the scene.

Stewart admitted Ms Burns' murder at Manchester Crown Court last month and on Friday was sentenced at the same court to life in prison, with a minimum term of 16 years and 363 days.

Leonard Stewart is jailed for life for Ms Burns murder

GMP said officers were called to Ms Burns' home a month before her death to reports Stewart had spat at Clare.

The force said: "Here Clare made an initial disclosure that she had been subject to abuse at the hands of Leonard, known to most as Lee Stewart, but felt unable to provide a full account to officers."

The force referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over the previous incident.

The outcome of the investigation has not yet been released.

'Despicable'

In a tribute earlier this year Ms Burns' family described her as someone who would "always light up the room she entered".

They said: "She was funny, outgoing and a very independent person.

"She was also kind, generous and friendly to anyone she met."

Det Insp Emma Hulston said she hoped the sentence would "serve as closure" to Ms Burns' loved ones.

"The actions of Lee Stewart were nothing short of cruel and despicable, and he must now spend the rest of his life in prison with that," she said.