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In this episode, I tell the story of Nicole Lewis, a 24-year-old mother-of-two murdered in Tuebrook, Merseyside, on March 5, 2002.
Nicole and her fiancée, Mark Wilkinson, separated in February 2002 after a domestic incident the previous month. Mark had violently shaken Nicole so roughly after an argument that she had marks around her neck.
A month after moving out, Nicole was invited to the couple's home after Wilkinson said he had arranged for a relationship counsellor to visit and talk to them about their problems. That was nothing more than a ruse.
After heading upstairs with Wilkinson, Nicole was strangled to death and placed inside a wardrobe in the front bedroom.
Wilkinson was found guilty of manslaughter, rather than murder, in September 2002 and received a four-year jail sentence, of which he served just 33 months.
**The following are NOT sponsored messages**
If you are experiencing domestic abuse or are concerned that someone you know is, please consider contacting one of the following charities:
Refuge (the largest specialist domestic abuse organisation in the UK): 0808 2000 247
Respect (Men's Advice Line): 0808 801 0327
Galop (a national helpline for LGBT+ victims and survivors of abuse and violence): 0800 999 5428
Women's Aid (a national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children): helpline@womensaid.org.uk
For those listening who live in Merseyside, like Nicole did, 'Worst Kept Secret' is a Merseyside project established to reduce domestic abuse and enhance support for survivors. Their free, confidential phone line is open Monday to Friday from 3 pm to 6 pm.
Call: 0800 028 3398
Website: worstkeptsecret.org.uk
REMEMBER - If you are in immediate danger, please call 999!
If you have experienced the murder or manslaughter of a loved one or someone you knew, please consider contacting 'Support after Murder and Manslaughter (SAMM)'. They are a UK-based charity providing various peer support services to people bereaved by murder and manslaughter.
Call: 0121 472 2912
Text: 07342 888570
Website: samm.org.uk
Intro music:
David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'
linktr.ee/davidjohnbradymusic
References:
`I HAVE JUST KILLED HER’ Court told of man’s murder confession.(2002). The Free Library. Retrieved September 20, 2002, from https://www.thefreelibrary.com/%60I+HAVE+JUST+KILLED+HER%27+Court+told+of+man%27s+murder+confession.-a091953714
Body found in wardrobe.(2002, March 6). The Free Library. Retrieved October 6, 2023, from https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Body+found+in+wardrobe.-a083971836
Chapman, S. (2002a, September 18). Chef `killed model and hid body in wardrobe’ Court hears claims of lover’s murder.The Free Library. Retrieved October 6, 2023, from https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Chef+%60killed+model+and+hid+body+in+wardrobe'+Court+hears+claims+of. . .-a091952948
Chapman, S. (2002b, September 25). I SAW RED MIST AS I KILLED MY NICOLE; Chef tells jury how model died.The Free Library. Retrieved October 6, 2023, from https://www.thefreelibrary.com/I+SAW+RED+MIST+AS+I+KILLED+MY+NICOLE%3B+Chef+tells+jury+how+model+died.-a092079121
Chef denies murder. (2013, May 9). Liverpool Echo. Retrieved October 6, 2023, from https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/chef-denies-murder-3557178
Coroners and Justice Act 2009. (n.d.). legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved October 6, 2023, from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2009/25/part/2/chapter/1/crossheading/partial-defence-to-murder-loss-of-control
Court hears of alleged confession. (2013, May 9). Liverpool Echo. Retrieved October 6, 2023, from https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/court-hears-of-alleged-confession-3557140
Echo, L. (2013, May 9). For the sake of our Nicole. Liverpool Echo. https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/sake-nicole-3548758
Four years; This young mother was strangled and her body stashed away. Yesterday her killer was jailed for:.(2002, September 27). The Free Library. Retrieved October 6, 2023, from https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Four+years%3b+This+young+mother+was+strangled+and+her+body+stashed. . .-a092211296
Killer’s “lenient” sentence reviewed. (2002, October 28). BBC News. Retrieved October 6, 2023, from https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2368191.stm
Killing puts law in dock. (2013, May 9). Liverpool Echo. Retrieved October 6, 2023, from https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/killing-puts-law-in-dock-3551052
Man faces murder charge. (2013, May 9). Liverpool Echo. Retrieved October 6, 2023, from https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/man-faces-murder-charge-3559043
MURDERED MODEL, 24 HIDDEN IN WARDROBE; City court is told of ex-fiance’s jealousy.(2002, September 18). The Free Library. Retrieved October 6, 2023, from https://www.thefreelibrary.com/MURDERED+MODEL%2c+24+HIDDEN+IN+WARDROBE%3b+City+court+is+told+of. . .-a091953341
“Murdered while family was downstairs.”(2013, May 9). Liverpool Echo. Retrieved October 6, 2023, from https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/murdered-while-family-was-downstairs-3557099
Murtagh, M. (2005, January 18). FREED. . . 33 MONTHS AFTER KILLING HIS EX.The Free Library. Retrieved October 6, 2023, from https://www.thefreelibrary.com/FREED.+.+.+33+MONTHS+AFTER+KILLING+HIS+EX.-a0127200172
POLICE CALLED TO ARGUMENT; Court told of row over pounds 260 mobile phone bill.(2002, September 19). The Free Library. Retrieved October 6, 2023, from https://www.thefreelibrary.com/POLICE+CALLED+TO+ARGUMENT%3b+Court+told+of+row+over+pounds+260+mobile. . .-a091953522
Tribute to Nicole. (2013, May 9). Liverpool Echo. Retrieved October 6, 2023, from https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/tribute-to-nicole-3559042
Woman saved in fire drama. (1997, July 31). Liverpool Echo, 7.
Young mum found dead in wardrobe. (2002, March 7). The Bolton News. Retrieved October 6, 2023, from https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/5981451.young-mum-found-dead-in-wardrobe/
