Nurse's murder: estranged husband given life sentence
Nursing lecturer Claire Chick’s estranged husband given a minimum term of 27 years for her murder, after stabbing her more than 20 times with a kitchen knife
A man has been given a life sentence with a minimum term of 27 years for the murder of his estranged wife, senior nursing lecturer Claire Chick.
Paul Butler, 53, of Stangray Avenue, Plymouth, stabbed Ms Chick more than 20 times with a kitchen knife he had bought hours earlier. The nurse academic, who was 48, was found injured in the street outside her home on 22 January and taken to hospital, but died in the early hours of the next day. Plymouth Crown Court heard the murder followed months of harassment, stalking and violence from Butler.
Ms Chick was associate head of school for international at University of Plymouth’s school of nursing and midwifery and had been involved in developing nursing programmes in Europe, Africa and Asia.
She had made six statements to police about her estranged husband’s conduct and he had been arrested three times for assault, harassment and stalking.
Nurse murderer’s ‘sheer merciless brutality’
Despite being on bail and banned from going near Ms Chick, Butler continued to stalk her and fitted a tracking device to her car, the court heard. On the night of his murderous attack, he had gone to her flat wearing a hooded camouflage top and waited for her to come out of the building, having found out she was in a new relationship.
The former doorman admitted Ms Chick’s murder and possession of a blade at an earlier court hearing.
Passing sentence on 25 April, judge Robert Linford told Plymouth Crown Court Ms Chick’s killing had been ‘nothing less than sheer merciless brutality’.
He imposed a concurrent 18-month prison sentence for possession of the knife.
‘Claire was one awesome and inspiring person who truly didn’t deserve this early end to her life. Let’s celebrate her life and not give any time for the killer’
Bridie Kent, professor of nursing, University of Plymouth
Our mother’s death leaves a huge void
Ms Chick is survived by two daughters and five grandchildren. Her elder daughter, Bethany Hancock-Baxter, said her mother’s murder had left a huge void. Addressing her mother’s killer in court, she said: ‘I want this evil man to listen to me. I want you to know what you have done to us as a family.’
Ms Hancock-Baxter’s sister Lydia Peers said Butler had come between she and her mother because of his jealousy. She told him: ‘You, Paul, are a murderer. I didn’t like you one bit. I could see the real Paul Butler. You proved I was right all the time.’
University of Plymouth vice-chancellor Richard Davies said: ‘From all of the heartfelt tributes shared at Claire’s memorial service and elsewhere, it is clear she was a much-loved member of our community, whose humour and warmth is dearly missed.
‘Claire’s contribution to Plymouth was significant and deeply felt – she was a respected nurse, lecturer and personal tutor, who ensured students were supported academically and pastorally. Our thoughts remain with Claire’s family and friends at this impossibly difficult time.’
In the aftermath of Ms Chick’s murder Plymouth professor of nursing Bridie Kent wrote on X: ‘Claire was one awesome and inspiring person who truly didn’t deserve this early end to her life. I’m proud to have employed her, known her as a friend and supported her recently. Let’s celebrate her life and not give any time for the killer.’
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