Policeman admits murdering fiancee (From Burnley and Pendle Citizen)

Policeman admits murdering fiancee

11:28am Monday 23rd November 2009

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A policeman has pleaded guilty to murdering his police constable fiancee.

Martin Forshaw, 27, of Meadow Way, Tottington, Bury, admitted killing 31-year-old Claire Howarth, on the day his trial was due to start at Manchester Crown Court.

Pc Howarth died in hospital following a car crash in Bolton in the early hours of May 7.

Forshaw bludgeoned his girlfriend at least five times with a lump hammer just hours before they were due to fly out to their wedding in St Lucia, which was to take place five days later.

The defendant then carried her downstairs at their three bedroom semi-detached home in the early hours of May 7 this year and took her to her BMW car.

Prosecutor Ray Wigglesworth QC said he drove around secluded country lanes in the area before he staged a bogus road accident and dialled 999.

Forshaw placed Miss Howarth, who was still alive, in the driver's seat and using his foot on the accelerator sat beside her. He then crashed the vehicle into a hedge.

When police and paramedics arrived at the scene Forshaw, known to friends and family as Alex, told them his fiancee had not been wearing a seatbelt.

She was rushed to Royal Bolton Hospital where she was pronounced dead later that day.

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