Conman facing life sentence for murdering secret lover

Ms Lee - the owner of a ''luxury cattery'' - suffered fatal head wounds from ''a sustained attack with a blunt object'' and was mutilated by Ryan in a bid to get rid of DNA evidence, the jury heard.

Assistant Chief Constable Ruth Purdie, of Cheshire Police, said: ''David Ryan gave Diana attention and affection and preyed on her trusting and kind nature for his own ends. We now know that his intentions toward Diana were fuelled by greed and Ryan's intention to exploit her financially to try and recover himself from the mountain of debt he faced.

''We have been left in little doubt that Ryan's attack on Diana - a diminutive and gentle lady - was brutal and sadistic.

"He showed contempt and compounded his disregard for her when he did his utmost to remove DNA evidence and then destroy her body.''

She added: ''Although Ryan refused to admit his guilt in this horrific murder, the prosecution were able to prove that he concocted a web of lies and brutally murdered a woman who had done nothing more than fall for the charm of a conman.''

Ryan, with greying, shoulder-length hair and wearing a grey suit, white shirt and striped tie, gave no reaction as the verdict was delivered.

Adjourning sentence until 10am tomorrow, Mr Justice Henriques said the case against Ryan was ''absolutely overwhelming''.

In a statement issued through Cheshire Police, Ms Lee's family said: ''Diana was a quiet and unassuming person. Nobody had a bad word to say about her. She was a loving daughter and sister. She had a wide circle of friends. She is sorely missed by everyone she knew. She has a left a hole in ours and many people's lives.''

The statement continued: ''David Ryan has only showed himself to be a coward. He has lied to try and explain away his barbaric crime. He feels no remorse or regret. His selfishness and indifference is no more than contempt for the life he has cruelly snubbed out and the family he has destroyed.''

Ryan used the cash he conned out of Ms Lee for a spending spree which saw him splash out on weekends away in luxury hotels for him and his wife, a laptop, a puppy, Armani clothes, luggage and a Bang & Olufsen telephone.

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Conman facing life sentence for murdering secret lover