'Truly horrendous': Boyfriend jailed for life for brutally murdering vulnerable Beckenham mum

Diane Dyer, 61, was found beaten and strangled to death with 71 total injuries, and a police chief described the murder scene as "one of the most brutal killings I have ever had to deal with."

David McCorkell, 54, of no fixed address, has been sentenced to life imprisonment at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, December 12, and must serve a minimum 21 and a half years after pleading guilty to murdering Ms Dyer.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell said she was a mother and grandmother who was described as vulnerable but was murdered within the safety of her own home.

"Her family have been left distraught by the terrible way Diane was taken from them.

"This man has a history of violence and was on life-licence for a violent robbery at the time of the murder. If ever a man needs to be locked away to protect the public, it is him."

Diane's husband Les Dyer said that he and Diane were married for nearly 41 years and separated amicably two years ago after having two amazing children and grandchildren together.

In a statement, Mr Dyer said: “Diane was loved by many people and would always help anyone in need. She was attractive, petite, fragile and sometimes vulnerable.

“McCorkell saw all of this in Diane and took advantage of her good nature and generosity.

“What led to McCorkell’s horrific attack on Diane we will never know as he chose not to speak to police.

“My family have been devastated by Diane’s murder. My grandchildren now know murderers exist whilst still believing in Father Christmas. This cannot be right. Diane should still be here now, about to enjoy Christmas with her loved ones.

The court heard how McCorkell and Diane had met about three months before the murder, while she was out walking her dog. She struck up friendship with McCorkell and then a relationship.

Diane, lived in an apartment in Fairline Court, Oakwood Avenue, Beckenham which McCorkell visited on an almost daily basis, but friends began to be concerned about the impact he was having on her.

The victim had become withdrawn and "painfully thin," and had complained about the way McCorkell was treating her on the days before he killed her.

On Thursday, 18 July a neighbour heard the sounds of a disturbance and angry shouting coming from her flat, and could also hear a woman screaming and what seemed to be the sounds of her being struck repeatedly.

A little later, a friend of Diane’s called at her flat and a man she didn’t recognise answered the door covered in blood. He told her that Diane was not there and that he was having a bad day having had a fight with a drug dealer.

He left the house whilst the friend was outside saying that he was going to get Diane. Whilst sure something was wrong, she decided to give it until the next day to report it to police.

It was another friend who called police. She had been phoning Diane all evening and after getting no reply, was becoming concerned. She went to the flat and noticed the curtains had not been drawn and could see through the window that furniture had been moved, so she called police.

Emergency services received a call at 11pm on July 18 to attend Diane’s home and at 11:04pm, police forced entry into the flat and found her in the bedroom.

Diane had been beaten in a frenzied attack, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The injuries appeared to have been inflicted by being repeatedly punched and stamped on, plus there was evidence of older bruising.

A post mortem revealed that Diane had suffered a total of 71 injuries, with evidence of neck compression. Police said Diane had, quite literally, been strangled and beaten to death.

An immediate murder investigation was begun by homicide detectives from Specialist Crime South, and McCorkell was quickly identified as a suspect.

Police received information that he had been staying with a friend, who he told he had smothered his girlfriend with a pillow after she had upset him over his mother’s grave.

He was finally arrested in Highbury Hill on 23 July 2019, and was found with a kitchen-style knife and denied murder.

When interviewed he told officers that it wasn’t murder, and protested that he loved Diane.

Detective Chief Inspector Cranwell added: "Lastly it is my fear that there are other women like Diane who are vulnerable and being exploited by predators like McCorkell. I would implore anyone who knows someone who may be at risk from a violent partner to call police. Your call will give you peace of mind and might just save a life.”