Man pleads guilty to murdering ‘beautiful and caring’ university lecturer in Plymouth

A man will receive a life sentence after pleading guilty to murdering his estranged wife who’s been described as ‘beautiful and caring’ mother in Plymouth.

Paul Antony Butler, 53, admitted murdering Claire Chick, 48, during an attack in the city in January.

Emergency services were called to West Hoe Road in the city, where Claire was found seriously injured.

The 48-year-old, previously known as Claire Butler, died in hospital after being attacked on Wednesday 22 January.

The university lecturer was taken to hospital and died during the early hours of Thursday 23 January.

On Tuesday 18 March, Butler, of Stangray Avenue in Plymouth, Butler, of Stangray Avenue, Plymouth, spoke only to confirm his name and enter his pleas during the hearing at Plymouth Crown Court.

The defendant, who appeared on video link from prison, appeared to wipe a tear away from his face as he entered his pleas.

He also pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of a bladed article.

The court heard that at the sentencing hearing, victim impact statements would be given by Ms Chick’s two daughters.

Judge Robert Linford ordered pre-sentence reports and said the sentencing hearing would take place on 25 April.

He told Butler: “I am going to order that a psychiatric report is prepared upon you, which will assist the court in determining the minimum term that must be served by you before you are considered for parole.

“You understand, I know, that the sentence for the offence of murder is fixed by law and on that date you will receive a sentence of life imprisonment, but the minimum term will be affected by submissions I hear from the prosecution barrister and your barrister, and that which is contained in the psychiatric report which I now order.

“You will remain in custody until that day.”

Head of Major Crime Detective Superintendent at Devon and Cornwall Police, Rachael Bentley, said: "We note the guilty plea entered at Plymouth Crown Court today by Paul Butler following the murder of Claire Chick in Plymouth on 22 January.

"Our thoughts continue to be with Claire’s family and friends who have lost someone who was so dearly loved and adored by many.

"We will now await and prepare for the sentencing of Butler on 25 April by His Honour Judge Linford."

A vigil was organised by Claire's family on Monday 3 February where candles were lit and a minute's silence was held at Smeaton's Tower at 6pm.

In a previous statement released by police, her family said: “We are absolutely devastated and broken at the loss of our beautiful caring mother Claire Chick.

“She was the most beautiful lively soul and was there for everyone.

“Everyone who knew our mum had so much positive words to say about her. She was the life and soul of any place where she was.

“She loved to dance and sing, even though she was pretty bad at it; she had no shame in doing it in front of any audience.

“We will never get over this as a family, she was our glue and our go-to. We won’t ever get the justice our mum deserves for this, because no amount of justice will bring her back.

“We want to thank everyone for their kind words, and we invite anyone who knew her to share their memories of her.

“We also would like to remind the public she leaves behind five beautiful grandchildren who all refer to her as ‘a favourite grandma’.

“We ask you to respect their privacy, and everyone remains respectful to them.

“She may be gone but her spirit will always remain alive. We love you mum, and we promise to make you proud.”