Controlling man who strangled partner when she tried to leave him guilty of murder

Kieron Goodwin, 33, had only been in a relationship with 29-year-old Olivia Wood for less than three months when he killed her in July last year (Picture: PA)

A ‘dangerous and manipulative’ man who strangled a woman on the night she planned leave him has been found guilty of murder.

Kieron Goodwin, 33, had only been in a relationship with 29-year-old Olivia Wood for less than three months when he killed her in July last year.

But in that time, he subjected her to a ‘horrendous’ campaign of physical and psychological abuse and control.

WhatsApp messages showed he tried to pressure Olivia into having sex with another man, despite her repeatedly refusing.  

He also manipulated her into transferring him more than £6,000 by claiming it was to help him pay his bills, but which he ultimately spent on cocaine. 

Goodwin also repeatedly threatened to kill himself, forcing Olivia to take time off work and be with him.

Bristol Crown Court heard Olivia never spoke to anyone about what she was being subjected to, but notes on her phone revealed she was ‘deeply unhappy’.

In a statement released after the guilty verdicts, Olivia’s family said: ‘The pain our family is feeling is indescribable.

‘Olivia was the glue that held us together, a loyal friend, a devoted sister, a cherished daughter.

‘She was a rarity; profoundly selfless, disarmingly witty, a timeless beauty. Always there to make a cup of tea when someone looked in need, to listen, to help.

‘Now she has been taken from us, and we are left with a chasm in our lives, a love that can never be replaced.’

Olivia was subjected to a ‘horrendous’ campaign of physical and psychological abuse and control (Picture: Avon and Somerset Police/SWNS)

In the early hours of July 30, Goodwin made a 999 call to the ambulance service reporting that she was not breathing, and she was taken to hospital.

Police were called 10 minutes after paramedics arrived at his flat where concerns were raised about her injuries.

During the police investigation, a packed suitcase and bags filled with Olivia’s clothes and toiletries was found. The court was told this suggested she was planning to leave.

Goodwin strangled Olivia after plying her with a potentially fatal amount of cocaine.

He denied killing her but was found guilty following a five-week trial.

Goodwin was also convicted of 15 other offences against Ms Wood and three other women.

These included rape, assault by penetration, causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent and intentional strangulation.

Goodwin was also convicted of 15 other offences against Ms Wood and three other women (Picture: Avon and Somerset Police/SWNS)

The jury was told Goodwin used to ply the women with drugs, threaten to send compromising photos to friends, family or work colleagues and report them to the police.

He made them hand over tens of thousands of pounds which he used to fund his cocaine habit and lifestyle while also threatening to harm himself if anyone rejected him in any way.

Goodwin admitted controlling and coercive behaviour against each of the victims, but denied the other offences, claiming the women had consented to the sexual activity.

Detective Superintendent Lorett Spierenburg said: ‘Kieron Goodwin is an incredibly dangerous and manipulative man who will now face justice for the horrendous crimes he subjected these women to.

‘His offending has had a significant impact on each of them and ultimately – and tragically – had fatal consequences for Olivia.

‘Each of those women who have spoken so bravely about what they suffered at his hands deserves enormous praise.

‘Not only has it meant he will now be accountable for his crimes, but it will also ensure no other woman will suffer at his hands.’

Goodwin, of Frome, Somerset, was remanded into custody and will be sentenced at a later date.

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