Trevor Dunkley, 66, was jailed for life on Friday (November 6) after admitting he murdered his partner Patricia Lashley, 33, in their shared home in Dudley in September 1998. Dunkley killed Ms Lashley at the home they shared in Hall Street, Dudley, before hiding her body in a cellar for a year and later disposing of her remains in household waste.
Violent attack and concealment
The court heard Dunkley violently attacked Ms Lashley in bed before covering her body with bedding and carrying it down to the cellar. Her remains were later disposed of in household rubbish over several weeks, police told Birmingham Live. Almost 30 years after the killing, Dunkley finally confessed, triggering a major police search of the property in Hall Street.
Newly released images show officers digging deep into the cellar in a bid to uncover evidence linked to the decades-old crime. The excavation was extensive because the cellar had undergone renovation on several occasions since Dunkley vacated the property. Specialist search teams were required to dig through the existing floor to reach the original space beneath. Large bags of rubble were unearthed during the excavation of the cellar on August 19.
Confession and account
Dunkley, who was 38 years old at the time of the murder, told detectives he took Patricia's child to Social Services, claiming she had left him and abandoned her baby, according to police. Dunkley stated he returned home to sleep on the sofa before heading to work that night, and upon his return claimed she had not moved and "knew she was dead". Dunkley alleged that Patricia had been abusive and violent towards him, which he claimed led to her death.
However, police stated that this account has not been substantiated. Earlier this year, he confessed to the killing after believing that West Midlands Police were "onto him", telling an officer investigating the case: "I killed her. I'm sorry". Footage subsequently captured him in the back of a police vehicle, where he told another officer: "My life is finished now... I'm getting locked up for life."
Sentence and appeal
Dunkley entered a guilty plea to murder and preventing a lawful and decent burial at a hearing held at Wolverhampton Crown Court on September 11. He has since been handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 10 years and 10 months, which includes 120 days already served in custody.
West Midlands Police are appealing for information to trace Patricia Lashley.
