Wealthy landowner faces life for wife's murder

A WEALTHY landowner will be jailed for life on Monday for the murder of his estranged wife, whose body has never been found.

Retired teacher Kate Prout vanished from the 1.2m farm she shared with her husband Adrian Prout during acrimonious divorce proceedings.

Gloucestershire Police say they are now likely to continue the search for the 55-year-old's body after Prout, who owns a successful pipe-laying business and runs a commercial pheasant shoot, was found guilty of her murder at Bristol Crown Court yesterday.

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Mr Justice Nigel Davis reserved sentencing for Monday, but warned Prout, from Redmarley, Gloucestershire, he faces mandatory life imprisonment.

The 47-year-old, who has become a father with his fiance, Debbie Garlick, since his wife's disappearance, was expressionless as the verdict was read out.

The jury had heard Mrs Prout confronted her husband with an increased divorce demand the day before she went missing – November 5, 2007.

They were living in Redhill Farm, in Redmarley, a 276-acre property purchased in 2004 for 820,000 and later valued at 1.2m.

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Prout had offered his wife a settlement of 600,000, but after discussion with accountants she decided to demand 800,000.

The last time anyone heard from her was 3.29pm on November 4, when she called her bank. Prout reported her missing on November 10 and was arrested for the first time later that month. But police searches turned up no sign of her body and it was not until March last year that he was charged.

Following the verdict, Mrs Prout's brother, Richard Wakefield, 59, who burst into tears as the guilty verdict was read out, said outside court: "It is a big relief that the trial has ended with this verdict. We would, however, appeal to Adrian to tell us what happened to Kate and where she is because we would like to lay her to rest and say our goodbyes." Asked about his feelings toward Prout, Mr Wakefield said "It is sad Adrian has come to this."

Paul Dunkels, prosecuting, told the court Prout moved his daughter from a previous relationship, Laura, into the couple's home in 2006, which created "friction" in the household.

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Mrs Prout left diary accounts of arguments. She recalled an incident in February 2007 when, according to her, Prout threatened to kill her by holding her over the empty swimming pool .

After the couple decided to proceed with divorce Mrs Prout rented a holiday cottage in September 2007 with her half-sister near Salisbury, Wiltshire.

She made arrangements for house sitter, Diane Bellamy, to care for the home while she was away. Following Ms Bellamy's first stay at the farm, she and Prout formed a friendship.

Shortly before Prout reported his wife missing, he and Ms Bellamy met for lunch at a pub near Gloucester where he told her someone had "taken" Mrs Prout away. Mr Dunkels told the jury: "The defendant appeared to be uptight, saying she had been horrible to his daughter. Diane Bellamy confronted him, asking him what he had done.

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"He replied 'Don't ask me. They've taken her away. Don't ask me any questions'."

In evidence, Prout denied murdering his wife but conceded there had been a risk he would have to sell his "dream" farm to meet her 800,000 demand.

Outside court, Ms Garlick, shielded by friends and family,

shouted "he's innocent".