47-year-old Wayne Morris, who went on the run after killing his girlfriend and was arrested by Police in Sandown, has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Ruth Brown.
Morris killed his 52-year-old girlfriend, who originally hailed from Scotland, on 8th April last year – less than 2 weeks after moving in with her during the first coronavirus lockdown.
During a drink and drug-fuelled rage, the West Sussex binman struck Ruth over the back of the head with a plastic tray. She fell to the floor in the kitchen, where she remained until the next morning. Morris took off his blood-soaked clothes and simply went to bed.
The next day, on 9th April, Morris moved Ms Brown’s lifeless body into bed and tidied up the scene of the murder. He went on to order a takeaway and on 10th April even went on a dog walk.
However, by 11th April it had all become too much and Wayne Morris sent distressing texts to his daughter, Ruth’s daughter and to his brother, Peter Brown. It was in the text to Peter that he admitted killing Ruth.
Morris fled from his home in Bognor Regis and travelled across the Solent to the Isle of Wight via the hovercraft. Police rushed to the Hovertravel terminal in Ryde at around 20:00 on 11th April, but they were too late. A major manhunt was launched and officers relocated to the Sandown area with Police surrounding Los Altos Park, as first reported by Island Echo. The search involved the National Police Air Service helicopter and dozens of officers, who surrounded the open space after Brown was sighted in Sandown.
Despite the large scale search, Wayne Morris evaded capture that night. He was arrested the following morning, on Sunday 12th April, at a campsite on the Isle of Wight. He has remanded in custody since.
Morris was found guilty of murder by a jury at Brighton Crown Court on Wednesday and today was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 17 years.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Mark O’Brien of Sussex Police said;
“Morris and Ruth Brown had been in a relationship for a number of years. They lived at separate addresses but Morris had moved in with Ruth, due to the pandemic. just a few days before the murder. On 8 April the couple were involved in an argument culminating in Morris carrying out a violent and sustained attack on Ruth, that caused serious and significant injuries and from which she died.
“Having admitted in court to killing Ruth, Morris made out that he could not remember his actions due to intoxication. The jury have clearly seen through this defence in returning their verdict of murder
“My thoughts remain with the family of Ruth Brown and I thank them for their resolve throughout the investigation and trial. The violent actions of Morris have cut short the life of Ruth, devastating her family and friends. I sincerely hope that in time they can come to terms with what has happened. Wayne Morris will now spend many years of his life behind bars.
“I also wish to thank the CPS, and particularly prosecuting counsel Mr Philip Bennetts QC for his work in presenting this case.”
Ruth’s brother, Frank Brown, speaking on behalf of her family, said:
“My sister Ruth was taken from us in the most terrible and tragic of circumstances.
“Wayne Morris has said on several occasions during this trial that he will have to live with the consequences of his actions for the rest of his life. He is not the only one. Lauren and Arran will have to live for the rest of their lives without a loving mother. My sister and I will have to live for the rest of our lives without a beloved sister. Our wider family will have to live for the rest of their lives without a niece, an auntie, a cousin and a Godmother. Others will have to live for the rest of their lives without a dear and close friend.
“The shock of hearing of Ruth’s murder almost a year ago, and listening to the harrowing evidence at trial over the last week, will remain with us as a family for the rest of our lives. It is especially painful as it came only a matter of months after we lost our eldest brother to pneumonia in January 2020. We were still mourning the loss of one sibling when another was wrenched from us in the most violent and dreadful way.”
“We thank the jury for finding Wayne Morris guilty of this shocking and vicious crime, and we ask that our privacy be respected during this difficult time.”
Why is it that all the low life sh*t seem to think they have got to head in our direction
There only following your footsteps!
More likely yours…
People know where peace is.