Leeds man jailed for life for murdering woman he strangled to death in his home

On Saturday, March 30, this year George Chalmers, aged 54, of Tempest Road, Leeds called emergency services to his home.

He told officers he had strangled a woman, 48-year-old Ruth Baker, following an argument.

Despite receiving medical attention Ms Baker was pronounced dead at the scene.

Chalmers was arrested at the scene and taken into custody.

He was later charged with Ms Baker’s murder.

A post-mortem examination revealed Ms Baker had “died of compression of the neck”.

Chalmers pleaded guilty to the murder of Ms Baker and was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court on Wednesday (Oct 30).

The 54-year-old was sentenced to life in prison - for a minimum term of 17 years and six months.

Speaking after Chalmers had been sentenced, Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Emma Winfield, said: “Our sympathies remain with the family of Ruth Baker at this very sad time.

“We hope that they can take some comfort in knowing that Chalmers has now been jailed for life.”

Ruth’s family have issued the following statement, urging any people in “unsafe” relationships to come forward.

They said: “We would like to thank West Yorkshire Police and the prosecution team for all their hard work and the liaison officers for all the support we have been given over the past seven months. We are so grateful too, for the love and support we have received from our family and close friends.

“We would like to take this opportunity to urge all those people who find themselves stuck in an unsafe relationship to find the strength to seek out support and find bravery to out before they too are taken from us unnecessarily.”