Man found guilty of murdering estranged wife

A man has been found guilty of murdering his estranged wife after he tracked her down on a night out.

Raymond Williams, 61, went from venue to venue trying to find Tania Williams while she was out with friends in Norwich on 17 January.

Later that night, the 49-year-old mother of four was found with severe wounds to her neck near her home in Catherine Gardens, Thorpe St Andrew. She died of blood loss at the scene.

Williams denied murder and was convicted at Norwich Crown Court following a 17-day trial.

Jurors heard how the married couple had three children together, but Williams moved out of the family home when their relationship broke down.

On the night of her murder, footage captured him searching for Tania in the city centre, before eventually finding her in Revolucion de Cuba on Queen Street.

They were seen walking out together, with Tania trying to distance herself.

The pair then separated and security footage showed a vehicle matching Williams' car parked on Yarmouth Road, near Catherine Gardens, minutes before Tania was attacked.

At 23:40 GMT, neighbours reported hearing screams and voices outside and found Tania lying on the ground with "significant" blood loss. She died shortly before midnight.

A craft knife was recovered near the scene and blood-staining matching Tania's was found inside Williams' car.

He was arrested outside his home in Dereham Road, Norwich, at 02:45 GMT on 18 January, police said.

The court was also told of a previous allegation that Williams threatened and assaulted Tania in April 2019. The investigation was discontinued when she withdrew her complaint, police said.

Tributes poured in after Tania's murder and about 350 people attended her funeral.

Speaking to the BBC on Thursday, Rector of Thorpe St Andrew Church, Reverend James Stewart, said Tania went out of her way to help others.

"If the terrible tragedy that had happened to her had happened to anyone else, she would've been the first person running around helping people, making cups of tea and being a wonderful support," he added.

"Tania was a wonderfully quirky, colourful, bright, kind and loving person - she always had a smile on her face and was a really cheerful, joyful person."

The Oxfam charity shop in Magdalen Street, where she volunteered, described her as "the sort of person you instantly remembered".

In a heartfelt Facebook post, liked more than a thousand times, they said: "Tania was wonderful: the kindest, most caring person you could meet.

"She was so full of positive energy, warmth and joy that it is very difficult to comprehend what has happened."

After the court hearing, Senior Investigating Officer Det Insp Sam Pontin said Tania's family had "shown remarkable strength and dignity throughout this investigation and trial".

"They have supported the investigation from the very beginning and have endured the extremely difficult process of hearing the evidence presented in court," police added.

Williams is due to be sentenced on 25 September.

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