Pilot is jailed for life after murdering wife
AN airline pilot who battered his estranged wife to death in their marital home was today beginning a life sentence for the “violent and callous” murder.
Former air traffic controller Andrew McIntosh armed himself with a saucepan and also punched and kicked Patricia McIntosh, who died of head injuries on November 15 last year.
McIntosh, of Knightcote, Warwickshire, had claimed diminished responsibility for the killing of the 56-year-old, but was unanimously convicted.
Judge Andrew Lockhart QC told him: “This was a very violent and callous killing –a sustained and horrific attack with the use of weapons and feet, rained down on her, time and time again. Unlike anyone with an ounce of compassion, afterwards you simply pulled the blinds down and left.”
McIntosh gave no reaction as he was jailed for life with a minimum of 17 years. During a seven-day trial, McIntosh claimed he “just lost control” and was in a state of numb disbelief after killing the nail technician and aromatherapist.
But the Crown said the 54-yearold, who was on stand-by to fly for travel giant TUI, acted in rage and frustration after driving to confront his wife at their former marital home.
During evidence at Warwick Crown Court, McIntosh claimed he did not know what the “trigger” for the killing was.
Jurors heard McIntosh had last flown a jet 11 days before the killing, and was on stand-by to fly on November 14 and 15.
The pilot had moved out of the marital home in June 2017 amid divorce proceedings. The house had been put up for sale but Mr McIntosh, living beyond his means, wanted to drop the price in hope of a quicker sale, the judge said.
Mrs McIntosh, who was much slighter than her husband, told friends he could be “over-bearing and threatening”.
The pilot was under “financial pressure”, having had a previous divorce in 2010, and as his second marriage collapsed, he became “desperate” for a settlement – on his terms.
McIntosh told his wife he had to leave the marital home “for fear of what you might do to her,” the judge added.