Killer who strangled his girlfriend and stabbed her 15 times in the neck and heart jailed for life

Michael Foran, 33, admitted to strangling his girlfriend before stabbing her 15 times

A killer who stabbed his girlfriend to death and dumped her body in the bath tub before going on the run with his neighbour has been jailed for life. 

Michael Foran, 33, admitted to strangling June Jones, also 33, and knifing her 15 times in the neck and heart on December 10.

He then hid the mother-of-three’s body under throw blankets in a bath in their West Bromwich, West Midlands home, and told her family she was with friends when they tried to contact her.

Ms Jones’ body lay undiscovered for three weeks until police broke into the house on the morning of New Year’s Eve last year.

Foran had been hiding nearby to watch the police kick down the front door minutes before they found her body in the ‘blood spattered’ bathroom.

The court previously heard that he had telephoned his mother in Ireland minutes later and told her: ‘I’m going to be up for murder.

‘She drove me mad. Nearly ten years now. Done. She’s done my head in. I’m f*****.’

Police launched a nationwide manhunt for Foran who was captured on CCTV leaving Ms Jones’ flat shortly after the murder. 

They eventually received a tip-off and were able to arrest him after they found him begging outside a Poundland store in Liverpool.

Mother-of-three June Jones (pictured with Michael Foran) was stabbed  in the neck and heart on December 10 and her body lay undiscovered for three weeks

Mother-of-three June Jones (pictured with Foran) was stabbed in the neck and heart on December 10 and her body lay undiscovered for three weeks

Foran initially denied murder but today he changed his plea to guilty and was jailed for a minimum of 17 years at Wolverhampton Crown Court. 

One of his neighbours, Keith O’Dwyer, 35, was jailed for 16 months for assisting an offender after it was discovered that he had driven Foran to Liverpool in his Range Rover.

At the time neighbours had been shocked to hear about the crime and said Ms Jones was a young mother who lived in the flat with her partner and their baby.

Keith O'Dwyer, 35, was jailed for 16 months for assisting an offender

Keith O’Dwyer, 35, was jailed for 16 months for assisting an offender

One said: ‘I heard banging at about 2am. It sounded like someone was banging my side window. 

‘It was really loud and woke me.

‘Then we heard shouting but I didn’t get up to check anything.

‘I know the couple but they are very quiet. They just keep themselves to themselves. You never really see them.’

Ms Jones’ family released a touching tribute to their daughter, who was known as Katie, after the sentencing.  

They said: ‘Today, justice has been done for our beloved Katie.

‘Finally, Michael Foran faced up to the gravity of the overwhelming evidence against him, forcing him to plead guilty to Katie’s murder.

‘We as a family know that the guilty plea will never bring Katie back to us or justify the long term suffering he inflicted upon her and subsequently us.

‘We will always miss Katie and will know she will be forever in our hearts. We now as a family hope to move on now justice has been done and Katie can finally rest in peace.’

A manhunt was launched for Foran after he was seen on CCTV with neighbour Keith O'Dwyer after leaving Ms Jones' flat shortly after the murder

A manhunt was launched for Foran after he was seen on CCTV with neighbour Keith O’Dwyer after leaving Ms Jones’ flat shortly after the murder

O'Dwyer drove Foran to Liverpool in his Range Rover (pictured). Police eventually received a tip-off and were able to arrest the murder suspect after they found him begging outside a Poundland store

O’Dwyer drove Foran to Liverpool in his Range Rover (pictured). Police eventually received a tip-off and were able to arrest the murder suspect after they found him begging outside a Poundland store

Detective Inspector Nick Barnes, from the force’s homicide team, said: ‘Katie was murdered in the most horrific circumstances.

‘The level of violence used by Foran was despicable. Knowing what he’d done, he left Katie in her flat and carried on with his life. 

‘When he realised police had discovered Katie’s body, he fled in an effort to evade capture. 

‘He clearly didn’t want to take responsibility for his actions and thought he could get away from police.

‘I hope his acknowledgement of guilt offers some comfort to Katie’s family, who have been extremely brave throughout this traumatic time. 

‘My thoughts remain with them as they come to terms with their loss.’ 

Foran had been hiding nearby to watch the police kick down the front door minutes before they found his girlfriend's body in the 'blood spattered' bathroom

Foran had been hiding nearby to watch the police kick down the front door minutes before they found his girlfriend’s body in the ‘blood spattered’ bathroom

At the time neighbours had been shocked to hear about the crime and said Ms Jones was a young mother who lived in the flat with her partner and their baby

At the time neighbours had been shocked to hear about the crime and said Ms Jones was a young mother who lived in the flat with her partner and their baby

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