Moment husband who murdered wife before going to the pub to laugh and joke with mates is tackled to the ground by cops
THIS is the moment murderer Ian Hamer was tackled to the ground by cops after killing his wife and going to the pub to laugh and joke with his mates.
The ex BHS and House of Fraser store manager avoided being arrested for 24-hours after strangling wife Joanne Hamer with a dressing gown cord at their home.
But after going drinking in Barton-upon-Humber, Hamer, 54, was spotted by a cop who cornered him in a car park of flats.
Four officers tackled him to the ground and sat on him until backup arrived, when he was arrested and led into a police van.
On Friday, Hamer, who had a drinking problem and paranoia was jailed for life and told he must serve a minimum of 22 years.
He had subjected Joanne – a well respected public health official with North Lincolnshire Council – to over two years of domestic abuse, controlling her every move, spying on her and isolating her from friends and family.
After carrying out his evil crime Hamer even rang Joanne’s terminally ill mum, telling her Joanne had a bad throat and would not be calling her that day – something the judge described as “sadistic.”
PUB BINGE
He then went to a pub to laugh and joke with his mates as he began a drink and drug binge.
He was later found and arrested five miles away in a car park in Barton-upon-Humber.
Soon after his arrest, Hamer said: “I want to say it’s manslaughter by diminished responsibility due to insanity.”
He was found guilty of Joanne’s murder after a two-week trial at Hull Crown Court.
During the sentencing, a statement from Joanne’s late mum, who died in August last year was read out by her son and Joanne’s twin brother.
She said: “Jo was a beautiful, kind and loving lady and always saw the best in people. She stayed with Ian even though she was begged to leave him. I find it difficult to understand how someone can kill someone like Jo.”
HOW YOU CAN GET HELP:
Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
Always keep your phone nearby.
Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
If you are in danger, call 999.
Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
Women’s Aid provides a live chat service available. from 10am to noon.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
Judge Kelson QC sentencing, described Hamer as a “danger to women” and said: “You were an overbearing, violent, domineering, aggressive husband and father.
“You were thought by your neighbour to be a man who didn’t like women.
“Your stalking behaviour didn’t arise from your love of Joanne. You told a psychiatrist you never stopped loving Joanne but I do not believe your behaviour came from love but a desire to control her and your love of money.
“You said you wanted to say it’s manslaughter based on diminished responsibility due to insanity. Well Mr Hamer that was your last act of control and manipulation for many, many years.”
Reacting to Hamer’s sentence, Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Christine Calvert said: “Hamer is a violent man who has shown no remorse for taking the life of the woman he was supposed to love and care for.”
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She added: “Joanne had suffered mental and physical abuse at the hands of Hamer, who monitored her phones, checking who she spoke to and where she went, controlling her movements even when she was at work.
“Domestic abuse can take many forms, including psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional abuse and can have devastating consequences. It is something that we take incredibly seriously and I would encourage anyone who is a victim or has concerns about a loved one to contact us.
“We would always encourage anyone who feels they may be a victim of domestic abuse to please, come forward and report it to us. You can call our non-emergency 101 line, or anonymously contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. In an emergency always dial 999.”