Police inspector pleads guilty to the manslaughter of his wife

A police inspector has admitted the manslaughter of his detective constable wife after she allegedly caught him taking out loans in her name – but he will still face trial for her murder.

Greater Manchester Police officer Darren McKie, 43, changed his plea to admit killing wife Leanne, 39, just before he was due to give evidence at Chester Crown Court today. 

Her body was found in Poynton Lake, Cheshire, on September 29 last year after being throttled at home eight miles away.

Darren McKie, 43, changed his plea to admit killing wife Leanne, 39, just before he was due to give evidence at Chester Crown Court today – but still faces a murder charge

McKie strangled his detective wife after she caught him trying to take out secret loans in her name, his trial heard. 

McKie strangled his detective wife after she caught him trying to take out secret loans in her name, his trial heard

McKie strangled his detective wife after she caught him trying to take out secret loans in her name, his trial heard

He allegedly murdered wife Leanne, 39, on the day she discovered he had tried to secure £54,000.

The police officers were said to be under huge financial pressure with debts of £103,000.

But despite previous assurances to his wife, 43-year-old McKie used their passports and obtained details of her earnings by ‘subterfuge’ to apply for a loan.

Chester Crown Court heard he strangled her at home and dumped her body in a lake about eight miles away.

Jurors were told McKie, his 39-year-old wife and their three young children were considered by friends to be ‘the perfect family’. But their perilous finances meant they were living ‘well beyond their means’. The inspector is once said to have made 15 loan applications in a day – with only one being successful.

Leanne McKie is the mother of the couple's three children, two daughters aged three and six, and a son aged 11

Leanne McKie is the mother of the couple’s three children, two daughters aged three and six, and a son aged 11

Leanne McKie's body was discovered in a lake in Poynton Park - a beauty spot popular with dog walkers and cyclists

Leanne McKie’s body was discovered in a lake in Poynton Park – a beauty spot popular with dog walkers and cyclists

On September 28 last year Mrs McKie found out her husband allegedly applied to lender Fluent Finance for £54,000. In an angry text to him at work, she wrote: ‘You liar. Just got back a loan application with my passport and my name. WTF [what the f***?].’

Nicholas Power QC, prosecuting, said: ‘She sent another message saying, “I asked you and you promised. Fluent Finance? Who are they? Are we in such a mess? Why again? The kids need clothes and shoes, what’s going on”.’

Mr Power said McKie ignored calls from his wife but sent a text saying, ‘I’m coming home’.

Half an hour later his white Audi was filmed by CCTV approaching the £435,000 marital home in Wilmslow, Cheshire. He is accused of killing his wife soon afterwards.

The trial continues. 

 

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