Killer caged for life

Killer: Michael Bamford

The killer who murdered his wife and tried to make out she had committed suicide has been caged for life.

Littleborough taxi driver Michael Bamford shot his wife in the head at their luxury home in Zimbabwe in August 2004, after holding her under water in their garden pool, and threatening her with an axe.

Bamford denied murder but was sent to trial at Manchester Crown Court where he was found guilty yesterday.

Today, (Thursday 18 December), the law courts brought Bamford to justice, sentencing him to 20 years imprisonment.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Kevin Greevy, from GMP's Major Incident Team, said: "This has been a very challenging and extremely protracted murder inquiry, but finally after more than four years we have brought Ivy's killer to justice.

"We will probably never know why Bamford decided to kill his wife. Was it for the money? Only he knows why he did it and he will have to live with the consequences of his murderous actions for the rest of his life.

"After Greater Manchester Police launched an investigation into Ivy's death at the request of the coroner, Bamford constructed a tissue of lies and obstructed our inquiries at every turn. At one point he claimed he never even owned a gun but as with almost everything he told us, this was completely untrue.

"We were also able to discredit his baseless theory that Ivy had committed suicide because she was depressed and the jury clearly did not believe his lies either.

"It has taken more than four years to convict Bamford of this murder. Officers made several trips to Zimbabwe to trace key witnesses, which was both complicated and difficult. But we never gave up and our relentless pursuit of the truth has finally resulted in this conviction. I would like to praise the team of officers who worked tirelessly on this case.

"From day one, Ivy's family has campaigned for her killer to be jailed and I hope today's conclusion gives them some comfort."