Eastwood: Man who murdered wife with bootlace sentenced to life in prison

A man who committed the “cold-blooded” murder of his ex-wife by strangling her with a bootlace has been sentenced to life in prison.

Michael McDaid admitted murdering Rachel McDaid, 53, at her home in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, on April 19.

Nottingham Crown Court heard how he coldly warned his son Owen, 23: “You can’t come in because I killed her.”

McDaid, 60, must spend at least 23 years and four months in prison before he is eligible for parole.

Addressing his father as he read a victim impact statement in court, Owen called him a “coward”, adding: “I am truly ashamed that I called you my dad. You have ruined every childhood memory.

“I hope you can see the pain you’ve caused. You’re not my father. You’re a monster.”

The couple had been living apart after McDaid left four years before the attack to live on a narrowboat, but he continued to visit the Nottingham Road property to collect work tools and see his three children.

On the day of the attack, he arrived home around 9:30 am (Brasília time), when he knew Rachel would be alone.

Prosecuting her, James Varley said he used a garrote he had made from a 6-foot-long boot lace to strangle her.

He had also made arrangements for a friend to look after his dog when he inevitably ended up in prison.

Mr Varley told the court: “He had no injuries. There was no sign that Rachel had had any opportunity to struggle.

“Before he left, he walked around the house and locked all the doors from the inside.”

As he was leaving the premises at around 11am, Owen arrived but McDaid told him: “You can’t go in there, I killed her,” the court heard.

Using a ladder, her son climbed through an open window and found his mother dead inside the house.

McDaid later called 999 and admitted killing her. He returned to the scene shortly afterwards, where he was arrested by police.

The court heard Rachel suffered injuries to her neck, forehead, chin, jaw and wrist.

Wiping tears from his face, her youngest son Isaac told the court he was heartbroken that his mother had suffered “such a brutal death”.

He added: “My mom, my Rachel, my best friend. I can’t even begin to tell you how much you’ve meant to me.

“You are and always will be the best person I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I am devastated that April 19th was the last time I was able to be with you, and I never got to say goodbye.”

The court heard he claimed Rachel was a narcissist and tried to portray himself as a victim, despite there being no evidence this was the case.

McDaid looked away from his children as they addressed him during his statements.

Defending, Clive Stockwell KC read a letter written by McDaid to the court which said: “I spent 25 years with my wife, whom I have always loved with all my heart.

“I committed the most terrible crime possible. I couldn’t escape my mental health. I know I didn’t make the right choice.

“I pray to God for forgiveness.”

He also admitted to a charge of possession of marijuana.

Sentencing McDaid, Judge Stuart Rafferty KC said: “Your letter suggests that you were under the illusion that, given your mental state, you had no alternative.

“There was no justification for Rachel’s death and there was no history of her treating you as a victim.

“(The attack) was cold-blooded and a revenge because of his mistaken belief that she had made his life a misery.”