Bamford murder trial draws to a close

The Rochdale taxi driver accused of murdering his wife will soon learn of his fate as the trial draws to a close.

Michael Bamford, 50, from Church Street, Littleborough, is accused of shooting his wife, Ivy Sutcliffe, dead at their luxury home in Harare, Zimbabwe, in 2004.

After a lengthy trial, the closing arguments have begun today (Wednesday 10 December) at Manchester Crown Court, and the jury are expected to go out to make their decision in the next few days.

Bamford denies killing his wife, and stands by his defence that she committed suicide.

Ivy Sutcliffe, who was originally from the Rochdale area, was shot in the head on Monday 2 August 2004 at her luxury home on the outskirts of Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, where she had lived with her husband since 2000.

The couple were married there in May of 2004, having known each other for ten years. 

More to follow…