A multi-millionaire property developer has been sentenced to three years and eight months in prison for the manslaughter of his girlfriend, who died after a 'rough sex' session. John Broadhurst, 40, admitted manslaughter by gross negligence at Birmingham Crown Court, but was cleared of murder.
Natalie Connolly, a 26-year-old mother of one, suffered more than 40 separate injuries and died from acute alcohol intoxication and blunt force trauma at their home in Kinver, Staffordshire, in December 2016. Broadhurst told a 999 operator he found her 'dead as a doughnut'.
Sentencing, Judge Mr Justice Julian Knowles said Broadhurst 'showed blatant disregard for a very drunk and injured woman'. The court heard that Broadhurst, who has a fortune estimated at up to £15 million, left Ms Connolly unsupervised and failed to call emergency services despite obvious risks.
Broadhurst claimed Ms Connolly's injuries resulted from consensual sexual activity fuelled by alcohol and drugs. The court previously heard the couple had an interest in masochistic sex. However, prosecutors alleged he 'totally lost it' during a drink and drug-fuelled session before leaving her to die.
In mitigation, defence barrister Stephen Vullo QC said Broadhurst knew his partner was bleeding but did not think she would come to harm, expressing remorse. However, Ms Connolly's family said she might be alive today if Broadhurst had called for help sooner, describing him as 'callous' and 'disrespectful'.
