Man who murdered wife with bootlace jailed for life

Michael McDaid received a life sentence at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday

A man who carried out the “cold-blooded” murder of his estranged wife by strangling her with a bootlace has been jailed for life.

Michael McDaid admitted killing Rachel McDaid, 53, at her home in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, on 19 April.

Nottingham Crown Court heard how he coldly warned their 23-year-old son Owen: “You can’t go in because I’ve killed her."

McDaid, 60, must spend a minimum of 23 years and four months in prison before he can be eligible for parole.

Addressing his father as he read out a victim impact statement in court, Owen called him a “coward”, adding: "I am truly ashamed to have ever called you my dad. You have ruined every single childhood memory.

“I hope you can see the pain you have caused. You are no dad of mine. You are a monster.”

Rachel filed for divorce after her relationship with McDaid broke down

The couple lived separately after McDaid left four years prior to the attack to live on a narrowboat, but he kept visiting the property in Nottingham Road to collect work tools and see his three sons.

On the day of the attack, he arrived at the house at about 09:30 BST when he knew Rachel would be alone.

Prosecuting, James Varley said he used a garrotte he had made from a 2m (6ft 6in) long bootlace to strangle her.

He had also made arrangements for a friend to care for his dog once he inevitably ended up in prison.

Mr Varley told the court: “He had no injuries on him. There was no sign that Rachel had any opportunity to fight back.

“Before leaving he went around the house and locked all the doors from the inside.”

As he was leaving the scene at about 11:00, Owen arrived but McDaid told him: “You can’t go in there, I have killed her”, the court heard.

Rachel McDaid was murdered on 19 April

Using a ladder, her son climbed through an open window and found his mother dead inside the house.

McDaid later called 999 and admitted to killing her. He returned to the scene shortly after where he was arrested by police.

The court heard Rachel suffered injuries to her neck, forehead, chin, jaw and wrist.

Wiping away tears from his face, her youngest son Isaac told the court he was heartbroken that his mother had suffered “such a brutal death”.

He added: “My mum, my Rachel, my best friend. I can’t begin to say how much you meant to me.

“You are and always will be the best person I have had the pleasure of meeting. I am devastated that 19 April was the last time I got to be with you, and I never got to say goodbye.”

The court heard he had claimed Rachel was a narcissist and he had attempted to paint himself as a victim, despite there being no evidence this was the case.

McDaid looked away from his sons as they addressed him during their statements.

'No justification'

Defending, Clive Stockwell KC read out a letter written by McDaid to the court that said: “I spent 25 years with my wife who I have always loved with all my heart.

“I have committed the most awful crime possible. I could not escape my mental health. I know that I did not make the right choice.

“I pray to God for forgiveness.”

McDaid, of Acre Lane, Aston-on-Trent, Derbyshire, pleaded guilty to murder at an earlier hearing on 5 July.

He also admitted a charge of possessing cannabis.

Sentencing McDaid, Judge Stuart Rafferty KC said: “Your letter suggests you were under the illusion that because of your mental state you had no alternative.

“There was no justification for Rachel’s death and no history that she treated you as the victim.

“[The attack] was cold-blooded and in revenge because of your mistaken belief that she had made your life a misery.”

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