A violent Leicestershire man who shot his partner dead has been found guilty of murder.
The man shot his partner in the head before calling 999 and blamed her injuries on a pool cue.
Richard Basson used an illegal handgun on Carrie Slater at their bungalow in Long Clawson, near Melton Mowbray, on 21st September last year. She died in hospital two days later.
The 45-year-old had claimed to police in a half-hour phone call to 999 that the pair had argued “over half a cigarette” in which he jabbed her in the forehead with a pool cue as she lunged at him with a carving knife.
Richard Basson
Leicestershire police
Slater was found injured inside their home by police and a crew from East Midlands Ambulance Service while Basson stayed outside.
In body-cam footage released by Leicestershire Police, Basson can be seen behaving erratically when confronted by officers. While arguing over a cigarette lighter, he says “give me a light and I’ll sit down” before being wrestled to the ground and arrested.
On arrival at hospital, it became clear the wound was from a gunshot. Ammunition and a self-loading pistol alleged to be the murder weapon were later discovered at the bungalow.
The court in Leicester had previously heard that Basson had been violent towards Slater across their on-and-off relationship.
Carrie Slater
Leicestershire Police
Detective Inspector Emma Matts, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) major crime team, was the senior investigating officer. She said: “My thoughts and condolences go out to Carrie’s family and loved ones, who I know are still struggling to come to terms with their loss and understand why Carrie was killed.”
“Hopefully today’s outcome provides a degree of closure to those who were closest to her.”
“Only Basson knows why he killed a woman he claimed to love. He’s never explained his actions. He’s never shown any remorse for killing another person.”
He was found guilty by a jury at Leicester Crown Court today and will be sentenced tomorrow (Wednesday 27th March).