Man's tribute to 'fantastic wife'

Michael Bowditch paid tribute to his wife

The husband of the cleaner stabbed to death while she worked in Cornwall speaks of his family's devastation.

Gary Chester-Nash, 28, was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday for murdering 59-year-old Jean Bowditch.

He stabbed her nine times as she cleaned a bungalow in Carbis Bay in October 2005.

In a victim assessment statement Michael Bowditch, 64, said he hoped Chester-Nash would rot in jail.

This trial has been about a winner and a loser. Our Jean was the winner - kind, compassionate, caring, totally unselfish, always ready to help, no matter how tough the going got.

This family will not be destroyed though, we will rebuild our lives Michael Bowditch

A talented gardener and cook, great animal lover and carer of the environment, and above all a fantastic wife and mother.

Fiercely proud of this beautiful and majestic Cornwall where she was born, we've walked miles and miles through breathtaking scenery.

Nothing can erase those memories. Jean's spirit lives on. No amount of knives or guns can destroy that spirit.

Jean Bowditch was a "kind, compassionate and caring"

Now for the loser and what a loser. This pathetic low-life weasel, a bully and a coward, the lowest form of life possible who should rot in jail until he dies with no privileges.

He takes everything from society and gives nothing back. A totally arrogant showman and serial liar as he showed in the dock.

Our very talented QC, Mr Geoffrey Mercer cleverly took him apart and exposed him for what he is.

This family will not be destroyed though, we are made of better stuff than that.

We will rebuild our lives and do what Jean would want.