AN AIRLINE pilot who bludgeoned his estranged wife with a saucepan has been found guilty of murder.
Andrew McIntosh, 56, a pilot with the Tui holiday company, had pleaded not guilty to his wife’s murder at her home in Knightcote near Gaydon.
But jurors at Warwick Crown Court unanimously rejected his claims of diminished responsibility for the killing of 56-year-old Patricia McIntosh.
Prosecutor Peter Grieves-Smith said the couple – who had both been married before – separated in June last year, and divorce proceedings had started.
Their home, Grass Yard in Knightcote, where Patricia had continued living after McIntosh moved out, was put up for sale.
But by November there had been little or no interest from buyers and McIntosh, who was living in a cottage at Woolscott Manor near Rugby, wanted to drop the sale price but Patricia, who had a son from her previous marriage, did not.
On November 15 she was again asked to drop the price, and declined, which angered McIntosh, who told the court he ‘lost control’.
Despite being on standby that day, McIntosh was drinking during the afternoon before driving to talk to Patricia, who worked as a beautician, without any warning.
The jury was told he ‘smashed’ her with a saucepan containing water and peas, before also attacking her.
McIntosh then drove home to Woolscott leaving Patricia to die of her injuries.
He drank a bottle of wine and contacted friends, admitting what he had done. His friends then contacted police.
The jury heard that officers who went to Patricia’s home found ‘a lot of blood’ with splatters on the walls, and even on the ceiling.
They also heard Mr McIntosh had been signed off work with stress last year but had been declared fit to fly two months before he killed his wife.
Following the trial Patricia’s family issued a statement. It read: “We still don’t understand and accept how or why this happened.
“No sentence is long enough and no sentence will bring her back.
“We will continue to go on with our lives and make her proud, as we were of her. She is always with us.”
Det Sgt Gareth Unett from Warwickshire Police welcomed the guilty verdict.
He said: “Andrew McIntosh claimed he didn’t know what he was doing and that he was not culpable for his actions. However, the jury saw McIntosh for what he is, a violent manipulative man. Following their separation he had the arrogance to believe he could continue to control Patricia.
“Andrew McIntosh went to the house that night with the intention of getting his own way; when he didn’t, he beat Patricia to death. This wasn’t a moment of madness, this was a ferocious and sustained attack.
“Throughout the investigation police have spoken to many people, all of whom describe Patricia as a kind, caring woman. She was much loved by her friends and family. It is clear no punishment can put right the pain Andrew McIntosh has caused them.”
McIntosh is due to be sentenced today (Thursday May 24).
