Ronald Cooke jailed for life over murder of partner Tina Billingham
A father-of-three has today been found guilty and jailed for life for the murder of his partner – who he claimed had killed herself.
Ronald Cooke has been convicted of killing Tina Billingham after stabbing her through the heart and liver with a sword stick.
Cooke, who Ms Billingham had lived with for more than 15 years, attacked her and then dumped her body inside a GP surgery.
Staff at Rowley Healthcare in Hawes Lane, Rowley Regis tried to save her but they were unable to do so.
Cooke, 55, of Granville Road, Cradley Heath, claimed during his trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court that his partner had killed herself – but a jury found him guilty today.
This afternoon Cooke was jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum term of 24 years.
Unemployed Cooke dragged injured 54-year-old Ms Billingham from his van into the surgery.
A post mortem confirmed Ms Billingham died as a result of stab wounds to the chest and stomach area.
Cooke was arrested by officers, but initially claimed his partner had harmed herself.
However, investigating officers found that Cooke’s relationship with Ms Billingham had been abusive and controlling.
Detective Inspector Harry Harrison from West Midlands Police, said: “Cooke was clearly a bully and was the root cause of an awful lot of misery in Tina’s life, arrogant to the end he has shown no remorse.
"Men with his character traits have no place in a civilised society, he has now rightly been brought to justice.”
