Businessman brutally murdered wife after she sold his ticket to see Elvis Presley tribute act

A husband has admitted murdering his wife during a row over a ticket to see an Elvis Presley tribute act. Paul Abbott, 56, appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Monday where he pleaded guilty to the murder of Jacqueline Abbott, aged 54. She died shortly after being being found with serious head injuries, believed to have been inflicted with a hammer, at her house in Netherton, Dudley, West Midlands,on December 11.

Mr Abbott was arrested at the scene after officers were called at around 4.25pm. Detective Sgt Indi Basra, part of the homicide team at Harborne police station, confirmed that Mrs Abbott had been away for a few days and had returned home on December 11. He said: "She and her husband were due to attend a performance of an Elvis tribute band that evening but Mrs Abbott had sold his ticket on Ebay. An argument erupted and subsequently escalated."



Police received a call from worried neighbours, concerned about Mrs Abbott's husband fighting with one of their sons, Martyn, in the street outside their home. "We were told someone had died at the property" Detective Sgt Basra continued. "Police officers and paramedics attended the scene and got through to the back of the property where Mrs Abbott was found in the back garden area. She had extensive and severe head injuries." A hammer was recovered from the property and is believed to be the weapon used in the attack.

Mrs Abbott's body was formally identified by her son Martyn and she was pronounced dead at the scene. "Her husband, Paul Abbott admitted the offence and was charged with murder," Detective Sgt Basra said. A pathology report revealed that the cause of death was blunt force head injuries and that Mrs Abbott had not consumed any alcohol. The couple ran a fishing tackle shop called J & P Fishing Snooker Darts at the Enterprise Industrial Estate in Brierley Hill, with Mrs Abbott listed as company secretary, and Mr Abbott as director. Neighbours say the pair previously ran a snooker club in the borough. Abbott was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at a later date.