Christopher Paul Collier has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his wife, Julie Ann Collier, at Bristol Crown Court today.

Collier, 53, from Chippenham, was sentenced to four years in prison.

There was violent altercation between Julie Collier, 55, and her husband at their home in Charter Road, Chippenham, during the late evening of September 5.

At about 6.15am the following morning, Collier dialled 999 and asked for an ambulance.

Paramedics attended the scene but found that Mrs Collier had died.

A post-mortem examination was carried out which showed that she had sustained significant blunt force injuries to her head and face.

The couple had been married for three years but had been together for nearly nine.

Mrs Collier suffered with nerve damage to her legs following a fall and needed a wheelchair or mobility scooter to get around.

He was registered as her carer and both of them were alcoholics.

The investigation was carried out by the Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT) which is comprised of officers from Wiltshire Police and Avon and Somerset Constabulary under the Operation Brunel collaboration.

DC Dave Ridler, of the MCIT, said: “Christopher and Julie had been in a turbulent relationship for many years.

"On the evening of 5 September 2015 an argument between the couple resulted in Christopher inflicting the injuries which caused Julie’s death.

“Christopher’s guilty plea today has prevented Julie’s family from having to sit through a trial which is only a small mercy but we hope that they feel justice has been done.

“Our thoughts are with Julie’s family at this difficult time.”