A man who stabbed his ex-partner to death before staging a car crash to cover up the crime has been sentenced to life in prison.
Claire Atkinson, 31, was discovered in the passenger seat of a Hyundai Getz car when it crashed in Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire on 17th April 2009.
The mother-of-two had suffered wounds to her chest and was pronounced dead at the scene. Police quickly established that her injuries were not caused by the impact of the crash.
A home office post mortem examination confirmed the cause of death was multiple stab wounds to the chest.
Preston Crown Court heard that Alan Entwistle, 52, had inflicted 13 stab wounds on Claire. Seven of the wounds penetrated her heart.
Passing sentence, Judge Anthony Russell QC told Entwistle: "It was a 'chilling' murder."
Former nightclub bouncer Entwistle, 52, of Custom House Lane, Fleetwood will serve a minimum term of 21 years and six months.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Phil Burke from Lancashire Constabulary’s Force Major Investigation Team, said: "This is a tragic case and I hope that today’s guilty plea and sentence will enable Claire’s family to move forward with their lives.
"They accepted Entwistle into their life as Claire's partner and now he has taken her from them.
"It is apparent that when his relationship with Claire broke down, Entwistle would not accept it and began to plan her murder over several weeks.
"He eventually committed it coldly and callously. Claire did nothing to provoke him. Previous partners of Entwistle have described similar violent, possessive and bullying behaviour."
Mother to two boys, Harvey, 10 and Euan, 8, Claire's family described her as "a sparkling personality."
Mum Kath, 52, dad Grenville, 55, brother Paul 28, and his wife Sarah, 28, said: "We are completely devastated at the sudden and tragic loss of our precious and beautiful daughter and sister.
"Claire was very outgoing with a bubbly and lively character. She had a sparkling personality and loved her life with her boys.
"Her sons Harvey, aged 10, Euan, aged 8, have had their caring and loving mum who they loved deeply and adored spending time with taken away from them at such a young age.
"There are a large number of family members and close friends affected by this sad loss and we are still trying to come to terms with what has happened. "
Entwistle has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum tariff of 21 years and six months, minus the 249 days already served taking it to 20 years and 298 days before he is eligible for parole.
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