Russell Marsh convicted of murder of Jade Ward

Russell Norman James Marsh, 29, of Chevrons Road, Shotton, has been told he faces life imprisonment for the murder of Jade Marsh, also known as Jade Ward.

Following a two-and-a-half-week trial, the jury returned a unanimous verdict on Wednesday afternoon that Marsh had murdered by asphyxiation the 27-year-old mum-of-four at her home on Chevrons Road on the night of August 25, 2021 - just days after they had separated.

The "amazing and bubbly" mum was stabbed and strangled in a "sustained attack" and her body was found under a pile of clothes in a bedroom.

Marsh previously told the court a "white noise" had come over him following an argument with Ms Ward and he had tried to "stop" her "from talking" by putting his hands around her neck and mouth. Moments later, he claimed, she was dead.

He claimed the knife wounds Ms Ward sustained were self-inflicted - claims that were later described as "falsehoods" from an "arrogant, manipulative and controlling man" who murdered her because she had the "audacity to move on without him". 

It took jurors less than two hours to reach a guilty murder verdict amid what the judge later described as "compelling" evidence of Marsh's guilt. 

He will now be sentenced on Tuesday.

During the trial, the jury was told how Marsh was jealous and controlling, he would phone and text Ms Ward "constantly", and wouldn't want her socialising with others.

He had said in the past that "if I can't have her, no one will", and had suspicions she had started a new relationship.

Addressing Marsh, who gave no reaction in the dock, judge Rhys Rowlands said: "She lost her life at your hands in what was a brutal and remarkably cruel attack, borne out of jealousy after she ended a controlling relationship.

"I shudder to think what she went through in the last 15 minutes of her life."

He said that Marsh had sought to "sully" Ms Ward's character and her memory throughout the trial to try and save himself. 

Judge Rowlands added: "I watched you throughout this trial and you haven't shown the slightest bit of remorse. There can only be one sentence for murder and that is of life imprisonment."

He commended the friends and family for their "remarkable" restraint after listening to "falsehoods and slurs" aimed at Ms Ward and her family throughout the trial. 

Members of Ms Ward's family applauded the jury as they left the court.