A MURDERER has been jailed for life with a minimum of 26 years and 25 days after shooting his partner in the face with a double-barrell shotgun before turning the gun on himself.

Michael Strudwick, 33, of Sutton Road, Southend, had made threats to shoot Christy Walshe previously during their eight month relationship.

Echo:

Loved - Christy Walshe

Echo:

Scene - police rused to Suttonm Road, in Southend

In the moments after the horrendous attack, he attempted to disguise what he had done by moving her body and placing her hand on the gun.

When being conveyed to hospital for treatment of his own injuries he made repeated references to karma in front of police officers, adding: "What do you get for murder? 30 years innit."

After paramedics revived her on scene, Christy Walshe, 40, was rushed to hospital in a critical condition. She died in hospital two days later.

Strudwick did not react when he was sent down.

After Strudwick admitted the murder, Ms Walsh's family paid a loving tribute to her.

A spokesman for Christy’s family said: “Christy was a mother, a daughter, a sister, a niece, a cousin, and an adored granddaughter.

“As all families, we had our ups and downs, but Christy was loved. She mattered.

“We made the common mistake in believing we had time to put things right. Time to say sorry. Time to say ‘I love you.’”