A former Gravesend taxi driver who bludgeoned his wife to death before burying her body under the patio at their home in Portugal has been jailed for 25 years.
Nigel Jackson, 60, repeatedly beat his common-law wife of 27 years, Brenda Davidson, over the head before burying her in a shallow grave with their dead pets, in a scheme to replace her with a younger woman and live off her wealth.
The 72-year-old's body was found wrapped in blankets and plastic tarpaulin under a concrete slab, covered with artificial grass, on January 6 last year.
The gruesome discovery was made at the couple's home in the Algarve, where they moved from Cliffe Woods ten years ago.
Ms Davidson had been killed with blows and slashes to the head, face and throat.
She had been missing since November 2014, with her husband telling neighbours the grandmother was in the UK being treated for a hacking cough.
Jackson leaving his Algarve home, a few months ago
He told Ms Davidson's four children she was travelling in Germany with a new partner, called Erik.
Standing trial at Portimão court, Jackson denied murder and said he returned home to find Ms Jackson dead, and assumed she had committed suicide following a battle with cancer.
It was Ms Davidson's wish to be buried in the garden with her beloved dead dog, he added.
He claimed he wrapped the body in sheets and blankets because Ms Davidson was cold, and did not tell police for "40 days and 40 nights" because of his Quaker beliefs that her spirit would remain in the grave for that time.
Picture: solarpix.com
However, he was found guilty of his crimes and given the maximum prison sentence yesterday (January 28).
Jackson was also convicted for fraud and theft, after selling his wife's jewellery and using her credit cards – whilst moving his Portuguese mistress Vanessa Milheiro, 42, into their remote country cottage in Alcalar.
He got 22 years behind bars for murder, one year and 10 months for desecration of Ms Davidson's corpse, two years for theft, and four years for credit card and computer fraud.
Speaking outside court Ms Davidson's son Dean, 49, told the Mirror: "Jackson fabricated stories and made things up as he went along.
"Maybe one day he will tell us the truth but I don't think so.
"Twenty five years is unbelievable and the maximum he could get so I can't ask for anymore, but it's not going to bring my mum back.
"We're going to go out now for a family meal and try to reflect on everything."
Her daughter Debi added: "He's ruined every single one of our lives."
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