Eliza Bibby: Man sentenced to life following Wisbech murder

Jamie Boughen was found guilty on 19 October of murdering Eliza Bibby

A man has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering a woman who was found with stab wounds to her neck.

Jamie Boughen killed Eliza Bibby, 47, who was discovered in a pool of blood at her home in Beechwood Avenue, Wisbech, on 10 January.

Ms Bibby "effectively ran a drug store" from her home and Boughen bought drugs from her, a trial heard.

Boughen, 48, of Waterlees Road in Wisbech, was found guilty of murder on 19 October at Cambridge Crown Court.

He has been sentenced to life in prison and must serve a minimum term of 22 years before he will be considered for parole.

Judge Mark Bishop, sentencing, said Boughen had subjected Ms Bibby to "significant violence" prior to stabbing her, having tried to "extract information through pain" with relation to drug taking.

Judge Bishop said the consequences of Ms Bibby's death had led to "great suffering and anguish" to a family "who clearly loved her".

Eliza Bibby lived alone in the Fenland town of Wisbech before her death in January

A post-mortem examination revealed Ms Bibby had a deep stab wound to the neck and three further stab wounds.

She also suffered multiple abrasions and bruising to her head, neck, arms, and legs.

An 8.2in (21cm) knife that caused the deepest wound was recovered on the roof of garages near Ms Bibby's home.

Traces of DNA belonging to her and Boughen were discovered on it.

'Suffering and anguish'

Boughen was arrested at his home on 9 March on suspicion of murder.

He told police he could not remember what he was doing the night Ms Bibby was killed.

The jury heard how Ms Bibby sold prescription and controlled drugs from her bungalow with the back door usually left unlocked.

Boughen was captured on cameras leaving his home at 19:11 GMT on 9 January and going to Ms Bibby's property, before returning to his accommodation at 19:47.

Emergency services were called at 06:16 BST on 10 January after Eliza Bibby's body was discovered by a friend, the court heard

He was filmed leaving his home again at 22:42, arriving at Ms Bibby's address at about 22:45.

He returned home at 23:05 and cameras showed him putting bleach and water into a bucket after going into the utility room.

Boughen carried out a laundry wash using the bleach he had collected earlier, Claire Matthews, prosecuting, said.

He told the police it was not unusual for him to wash his clothes at 01:00.

Jamie Boughen was captured on CCTV in his shared accommodation doing laundry after returning from Eliza Bibby's home the day before she was found dead

Mr Boughen said he had known Ms Bibby all his life and he was "shocked and horrified at being accused".