Widow’s pain at husband’s pub murder

VICTIM Christian Thornton

THE widow of a murdered pub landlord has told of her agony as his killer was jailed for at least 28 years.

Pam Thornton spoke after Lee Abbott, 35, had been found guilty of murdering dad-of-three Christian Thornton, 49.

She said: “Lee Abbott not only took my husband’s life but also destroyed my life and the lives of our three children.

“The indescribable pain I have lived with has been multiplied as I watch our children try to come to terms with losing their dad in such a violent way.”

Abbott, of Widnes, Cheshire, stabbed Christian at a pub in the town last year, Liverpool crown court heard.

He had been barred from all pubs in the area after threatening to burn down the victim’s bar.

Springwatch with Michaela

CHRIS PACKHAM VOWS TO KEEP FIGHTING FOR WILDLIFE

“I’m not worried about myself, but more about them. You just have to rise above the bullying and intimidation. I can’t let bullying like this get in the way of what I’m trying to achieve. The whole Asperger’s thing helps, I’m pretty defiant.”

Chris, 58, who hosts Springwatch with Michaela Strachan, has spoken out against badger culls but said he was not sure what the latest incident was in response to.

At the end of last year a dead fox was dumped at his home after he spoke out against fox hunting.

It came after he was sent a death threat and had dead birds strung up at his gate after he slammed the shooting of “pest” birds.

The Mirror revealed last year he was stepping up security at his home in the New Forest, Hants, after being sent packages containing human excrement and a wooden plaque with a sketch of male genitalia.

But he insisted he will never stop standing up for wildlife. He said: “They don’t have a voice, so I have to be that voice. I’ve been bullied all my life, I’m used to it. It just makes me more determined. Obviously I’m upsetting the right kind of people.”

I can’t let bullying like this get in the way of what I’m trying to achieve