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Leeds murderer Mark Barrott who fled to Moray is sentenced


By Alistair Whitfield

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Police Scotland released this photo of Mark Barrott during last August's manhunt.
Police Scotland released this photo of Mark Barrott during last August's manhunt.

A man who fled to Moray after killing his wife has been jailed for at least the next 21 years.

Police Scotland put out several appeals for information after Mark Barrott was seen heading north during August last year.

The public was warned not to approach him, but to contact 999 immediately instead.

At the time the 55-year-old was wanted for questioning following the death of his wife, Eileen, at their home in Leeds on August 15, 2021.

Two days later the police issued a statement that Barrott had boarded a train to Edinburgh then Aberdeen.

Then, on August 18, the force announced that Barrott had been sighted near Elgin.

Barrott was arrested the following day at Pluscarden.

Nurse Eileen Barrott. Photo: West Yorkshire Police.
Nurse Eileen Barrott. Photo: West Yorkshire Police.

Eileen Barrott (50) was a nurse at St James Hospital in Leeds with over 25 years of experience in the profession.

Her lifeless body was found by the couple's 21-year-old son.

A post mortem confirmed that she had been bludgeoned with a hammer and also strangled.

Barrott was sentenced earlier today at Bradford Crown Court to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years.

This followed a two-week trial at Leeds Crown Court last month which ended with him being found guilty of murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Vanessa Rolfe, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "Mark Barrott has been shown to be someone who was responsible for an appalling catalogue of coercive and controlling behaviour against his wife Eileen over a number of years.

"When he realised that she was trying to finally break free from this toxic relationship, he acted with murderous intent. His cruel and selfish actions have robbed Eileen’s family and friends of her and left a huge hole in their lives.

"He fled four hundred miles from the couple’s home in the immediate aftermath of the murder in much the same way as he has sought to escape being held fully responsible for his actions during the court process.

"We hope that his conviction for murder and the life sentence he has received will provide at least some small measure of comfort to Eileen’s family and to all those who loved her."



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