Man jailed for drowning ex-partner in river

A man who murdered his ex-partner by drowning her in a river has been jailed for life.

Vincent Morgan, 47, had a history of domestic abuse against Lisa Welford, 49, and was subject to a court order that banned him from seeing her.

However, on 24 April, he breached the order and was seen drinking alcohol with Ms Welford in York.

The same evening, they travelled back to Malton and continued drinking beside the River Derwent, where he later broke her femur and held her underwater, causing her to die of her injuries in hospital the following morning.

At Leeds Crown Court on Wednesday, Morgan, of Chandler's Wharf in Malton, was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 21 years after a jury found him guilty of murder on Monday.

The court heard victim impact statements from Ms Welford's adoptive mother and her biological mother, who both said they had been left "distraught" by her death.

In a statement read out by her other daughter Mandy, Rita Welford said: "Lisa is my first thought in the morning and my last thought at night."

She recalled seeing her daughter with bruises and broken bones as a result of Morgan's abuse but would often hear "countless excuses" for his behaviour.

"She loved him but at the same time she was scared of what he would do to her if she upset him," Ms Welford added.

Joy Oxley, who gave birth to Ms Welford at the age of 17 and placed her up for adoption, said they had reconnected 18 years later.

"I was overjoyed and we kept in regular contact," Ms Oxley said.

"Vincent Morgan was introduced to me as Lisa's friend. I had no idea of his past record of beating women.

"I've lost her twice now, this time forever."

Carmel Pearson, prosecuting, told the court Morgan had 47 previous convictions, which included violence against a previous partner.

He had an alcohol addiction and would manipulate Ms Welford, even forcing her to leave her home and live with her mother when he refused to move out of her house.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Guy Kearl told Morgan: "When in drink you are brutal and callous, unable to control your desire for violence towards your partners."

He added Ms Welford had been "kind and gentle, caring, thoughtful and loved" by those who knew her.

North Yorkshire Police had referred itself to the IOPC over the incident, due to Morgan being known to authorities.

An IOPC spokesperson said: "Our independent investigation into contact North Yorkshire Police had with Ms Welford between January 2022 and April 2024 was paused to avoid prejudicing the criminal trial.

"Following the sentencing of Vincent Morgan, we will now be resuming our inquiries."

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