'Fantasy world' of hotel killer

Rycroft tried to claim there had been an intruder at their hotel room near Heathrow Conman's life sentence for murder

Glenn Rycroft, a conman jailed for life for murdering his lover, is described by police as a "fantasist and a cowardly killer".

Rycroft, 33, has been told he will serve at least 25 years for the "pre-meditated" murder of Gareth Macdonald in a Travelodge hotel room near Heathrow airport, London.

"This was certainly not a crime of passion but a premeditated murder," said Det Ch Insp Tim Grattan-Kane of the Metropolitan Police's homicide and serious crime command. He added that the investigating team would never be entirely certain why Rycroft, of Holywell, Flintshire, killed Mr Macdonald, 30, at Heston Service Station in September 2007.

"Inquiries by the investigating team identified that Rycroft spent a considerable amount of time on his computer, researching different methods to kill people," said Det Ch Insp Grattan-Kane.

Glenn Rycroft 'researched methods to kill people'

"Whilst he was content to continue with the facade of settling his debts to his relatives he was clearly just continuing with the tissue of lies that he has told over several years.

"There are indications that Gareth Macdonald had realised what a scheming individual Rycroft is.

"Sadly when this fantasy world of Rycroft's was due to be exposed he resorted to cowardly violence, ending the life of Gareth Macdonald who was meant to be his lifelong partner."

Rycroft then proceeded to create a situation where he sought to disguise the murder as the work of an intruder to their hotel room, explained Det Ch Insp Grattan-Kane.

"He created a number of lies in an attempt to blame others for the murder of Gareth Macdonald, including suggesting that one of Gareth's brothers may have been going to attend the venue of the attack.

"When this was also shown to be false by the investigation team he changed his version of events yet again, seeking to besmirch Gareth's character.

"Rycroft is a fantasist and a cowardly killer."

As a family we are learning to cope with our tragic loss and the pain of losing Gareth has not waned Family of Gareth Macdonald

In a statement the bereaved family said words could not explain the pain of losing him in such circumstances.

"It is nearly two years since Gareth's life was cruelly cut short and he was taken from us," said the statement.

"They say that time is a great healer; even after this amount of time I am not so sure.

"As a family we are learning to cope with our tragic loss and the pain of losing Gareth has not waned. His memory will stay with us forever and I cherish the short but wonderful time we had together.

"I know that as a family we all deeply miss Gareth and we all have some precious memories of him.

"Unfortunately, memories cannot replace the fact that we have lost a loving son, brother and father."