Man Knocked Girlfriend Unconscious And Left Her To Die While He Partied With Another Woman

A man in Wales was jailed for life Monday for brutally killing his girlfriend after accusing her of cheating on him.

A court in Swansea heard that 37-year-old Jonathan Campbell brutally assaulted his partner, 48-year-old Helen Bannister, and knocked her unconscious at their home on Dec.1, 2020, after accusing her of having an affair. He then bathed the body to get rid of the blood, Wales Online reported.

Campbell then placed her on the sofa before packing his luggage and leaving the residence. Hours later, he called the emergency services and informed that a woman was unconscious and needed medical help.

Paramedics arrived at the residence and found her unresponsive with "significant injuries." Bannister was taken to hospital by air ambulance where she succumbed to injuries five days later. Doctors said the woman had devastating brain injuries, a nasal fracture, and a fractured eye socket. She also had multiple rib fractures, BBC reported.

The court heard that after leaving the residence, the accused went to a local shop where he purchased two bottles of wine. He then met up with another woman and checked into a hotel with her. The two spent the day walking around the town "smoking cannabis and drinking alcohol" before he was traced and taken into custody.

During interrogation, the accused admitted to assaulting Bannister and said he "snapped" after finding photos on her phone suggesting that she was having an affair with another man.

"I didn't mean to take it that far. I love her. Everything just got out of hand,” he told the officer during the interrogation.

During the trial, the court heard that the accused and the victim were in a relationship for five years and that Campbell had a history of violence against women.

Sarah Jane Bannister, the victim’s daughter, told the court that her mother had been "young at heart and full of life".

"I begged her to leave Campbell but she would not listen. He has stolen my future with my mother," she said, BBC reported.

The accused pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced Monday.