Jackie Abbott murder: Husband Paul like a 'wild dog' after striking her in frenzied hammer attack
A gambler on a losing streak was like a 'wild dog' as he murdered his wife of 28 years in a frenzied hammer attack at their Netherton home, a judge heard.
Paul Abbott was jailed for life with a 15 year minimum sentence after admitting murder.
He hit wife Jackie at least 16 times on the head and body while chasing her around their house in Lodge Crescent.
Tell-tale blood stains showed how the ferocious attack was launched in the bedroom before continuing from room to room, down the stairs, through the ground floor and into the garden, Mr Robert Price, prosecuting, told Wolverhampton Crown Court.
Abbott, who had 'lost it', continued to bludgeon the 54-year-old as she crawled on her hands and knees before kicking her with such force that ribs were fractured and her right lung lacerated.
The 57-year-old businessman struck after she decided to end the relationship.
He had earlier been heard to warn: "If I can't have her, nobody else can."
The marriage had been blighted by his gambling, jealousy and controlling behaviour, continued Mr Price.
There had also been 'sporadic' violence from him towards her although the last evidence of Jackie suffering physical injury at his hands had been around six years before the December 11 murder.
The couple, who ran a business near their home selling fishing, darts and snooker equipment with sons Martyn, 25 and Ryan, 22, had increasingly argued over his gambling and her drinking during the final year of the victim's life, it was said.
On December 3 he refused to give his wife her wages.
Two days later she went alone to visit long time friend Pat Frost who later told police: "She appeared really happy, confident and in control of her life.
"She didn't need a drink and told me she didn't need Paul."
Meanwhile he had blown £11,500 in two days at a casino and was in a bad mood.
Jackie returned on December 11 to go to an Elvis tribute band concert which she wanted to attend with friends and not her husband.
He grabbed her handbag looking for his ticket, sparking a struggle.
Abbott grabbed a hammer while she frantically tried to protect herself from the onslaught.
She made a frantic dash for safety, pushing the house alarm's panic button as she passed.
He calmly leaned into a cupboard to key in the over-ride that silenced the alarm, and continued the chase.
His sons, who had been at the family's business in Hurst Lane, Brierley Hill, found their mother's bloodstained body in the back garden.
Martyn knocked his father to the ground outside after Abbott swung a punch at him.
The defendant was arrested and told police: "She was a perfect girl. I flipped and lost the plot.
"I wouldn't do that to a dog. It was despicable. I lost control like a wild dog. I have got to live with this. A bloke can do a lot of damage to a woman. A bloke can over power a woman. So why did I need a hammer? I don't know. I don't know why I did it."
