Killer Gary Chadwick, who battered his mistress to death in her home Higher Carnbone Farm at Laity, near Helston, on November 4 last year, was jailed for life, with a minimum of 13 years at Truro Crown Court this morning.

Mr Justice Owen told 43-year-old Chadwick, of Penryn Street, Redruth: "You took the life of 39-year-old Michelle Crossley, with whom you were having an affair, in a brutal and sustained attack, hitting her violently over the head with a rolling pin and a hammer and then stabbing her repeatedly. And it took place in front of your 21-year-old stepson, Adam Jinks."

Suspicion had first fallen on his father-in-law, Kenwyn Crossley, who had been detained in custody for three days, before Chadwick's involvement was identified, and he had then lied and pleaded with his stepson to produce a false story. I accept it was not a premeditated attack in the sense that you did not go to Mrs Crossley's home intending to kill her," said the Judge. " I accept that the murderous attack occurred when the relationship ran out of control that evening. I also take account of the fact you attempted to cover your tracks by removing evidence from the scene, and that involved your stepson.

"I have today seen a letter from your wife and the letter you have written me and I accept you now show a deep and genuine remorse for this horrific killing. You now understand the devastating effect you have had on the family."

Taking into account his early plea of guilty to murder the Judge imposed a life sentence with a minimum term of 13 years before the Parole Board could consider whether it would be safe to release him on parole.

He said that Chadwick would be on licence for the rest of his life and that the 392 days he had already spent in jail would count towards his sentence.

Prosecutor Martin Edmunds QC revealead that Chadwick and Jinks went to Higher Carnbone Farm by taxi during the early hours of November 4. Mrs Crossley's body was found by police officers in the living room at about 2pm.

A fractured skull had been caused by at least three blows, and there was a deep stab wound in her cheek and a further 17 in her body. Injuries to her hands had been caused the previous day when trying to restrain a foal.

Suspicion fell on Kenwyn Crossley, who was older than his wife and whose marriage was effectively over. While he was detained for three days Chadwick made a number of dishonest statements, including that he had not had a sexual relationship with her. He then admitted it had been sexual and that their last encounter had been on November 2.

Mr Edmunds said that Chadwick had claimed Jinks insisted on accompaning him to the farm because of his suspicion that they were having an affair. Chadwick and Michelle had gone to a caravan to have a chat and when they argued she stormed back to the farmhouse where she found Jinks upstairs.

Jinks was shouting and swearing and, thinking he had everything to lose, he (Chadwick) went into the kitchen and picked up a rolling pin from the table. He returned to the living room and struck Michelle on the back of the head. She staggered and went to the floor and he then picked up a hammer lying on a nearby chair and struck her three times.

"That account is consistent with the pathological findings," said Mr Edmunds. "At that point Chadwick says he feared for the consequences to himself if she survived the very severe injuries he had inflicted. He located a small vegetable knife lying near the television and stabbed her some five or six times."

Having stabbed her to ensure she was dead he directed Jinks to get two carrier bags and made him put in them the rolling pin, hammer, knife, bottle of wine, a glass they had used and her mobile phone and a few other items which they discarded as they walked the seven or eight miles back to Redruth.

Defence counsel Ramsay Quaife conceded that it was a brutal murder of defenceless woman but stressed there was an absence of mental or physical suffering inflicted upon her.

Chadwick did not accept he was a bully and in control of anyone that night as had been suggested at the Jinks' hearing.

It was to Chadwick's credit that he had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

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