Steven and Simone Grainger were childgood sweethearts but had been experiencing marriage troubles
A cocaine addicted husband has been convicted of killing his childhood sweetheart wife after he battered his with a saucepan.
Steven Grainger of Southcote killed wife Simone, 30, at their home in Windsor Way, Calcot.
The 32-year-old also strangled his wife on the night of her death in November 2017 following one of many rows. Then, as she lay dead in their home he refused to call for help and instead attempted to buy cocaine.
A jury of seven men and five women took around four hours to convict Grainger on Wednesday, May 23 after the three week trial at Reading Crown Court.
Grainger was acquitted of murder, but faces a lengthy jail term when he is sentenced on Thursday, May 24.
The trial heard how the couple had been together since they were teenagers but had a volatile relationship which often led to rows.
Simone , a mother-of-two complained her life was mirroring the plot of Doctor Foster, the hit BBC1 drama about a GP’s turbulent relationship with her husband, in the run-up to her death.
The court heard how Grainger had a serious cocaine addiction, often spending the couple’s money on his drug habit.
Steven Grainger, 32, battered his wife to death and strangled her, Reading Crown Court heard
The family home in Calcot where Steven Grainger killed his wife Simone on Saturday November 4 in 2017
The pair had been arguing about Steven’s drinking in the months leading up to him killing his wife Simone
He would then disappear on drug and drink binges.
The couple had argued frequently about his problem, but Grainger had been seeking help with his addiction.
On November 4 the couple had gone to bed together after putting their children to bed and then having sex.
However, Grainger had not been able to sleep and had started developing a tight chest due to his asthma.
He came downstairs to watch television and to try to sleep on the sofa.
He then got a text message from his wife upstairs asking what he was doing, the court was told.
Grainger claimed he acted in self-defence after his wife came downstairs and started attacking him.
Simone Grainger said her life was like that of BBC’s Doctor Foster who was having husband troubles in the popular show
He told the court she began punching him until he pushed her off, causing her to fall.
He then told the jury she went into the kitchen and got a pair of scissors and tried to attack him again.
The two wrestled, with Grainger claiming he was in fear of his life, and his arm went around her throat.
He then said she “went heavy” and he let go, causing her to fall again.
Mother-of-two Simone was found dead and wrapped in a carpet by her cousin after Steven left the house
Simone Grainger was killed in November 2017 after he husband attacked her in their home
Police guard the Grainger home where Steven killed his wife Simone Grainger in 2017
The prosecution said Grainger was lying and argued the serious injuries Mrs Grainger suffered means he battered and strangled her.
They said he hit her with a saucepan found in the home with her blood on it, which he says came from his hands after he used it as ashtray having found her dead the next day.
Grainger did not call the emergency services after finding his wife dead, which the prosecution claimed was a sign of his guilt.
He instead contacted a number of people trying to get cocaine.
He said this was to give him the courage he needed to commit suicide, but the prosecution said it was a sign of how little he cared about what had happened.