Police inspector with huge debts admits he killed detective wife
A POLICE inspector yesterday admitted killing his detective wife after she caught him trying to take out secret loans in her name.
Darren McKie, 43, is on trial accused of murdering Leanne, 39, and was due to enter the witness box on the first day of his defence yesterday.
But in an unexpected development his barrister asked that a charge of manslaughter be put to his client. McKie showed no emotion as he pleaded guilty to the new charge.
Trevor Burke, QC, defending, told the judge that McKie would not be giving evidence, nor would any evidence be called on his behalf. He continues to deny murder.
Mr Justice Robin Spencer said the trial would continue ‘on count one (murder)’ and the charge required ‘an intent to kill or cause serious harm’.
Chester Crown Court has heard that Mrs McKie’s body was found in Poynton Lake, eight miles from the couple’s £435,000 home, in Wilmslow, Cheshire, on September 29 later year.
It is alleged McKie had strangled her the day before, after she confronted him about applying for a £54,000 loan in her name.
The jury have been told that McKie, his wife and their three children were considered by their friends to be ‘the perfect family’.
But the couple were living ‘well beyond their means,’ and had debts of more than £103,000.
The trial continues.