Crawley man guilty of girlfriend's murder after binge-drinking and violent attack

CRAWLEY MAN GUILTY OF GIRLFRIEND'S MURDER AFTER BINGE-DRINKING AND VIOLENT ATTACK

A man named Lee Portwine, of Pound Hill Parade, Crawley, was found guilty of murdering his girlfriend Una Whitney.

The article details that Portwine killed Ms.

Whitney after they had consumed a large amount of alcohol and drugs and went into woods near the Gatwick Worth Hotel.

A fierce argument broke out during an outdoor sexual encounter, and Portwine murdered Ms.

Whitney by stuffing mud into her mouth and headbutting her.

Prosecutor Paul Lewis, QC, stated that Portwine admitted to police that he and Ms.

Whitney had been into the asphyxiation 'thing' where they get a buzz from not being able to breathe.

The injuries observed on Ms.

Whitney’s body included a bite mark on her cheek and multiple hits, with tests indicating she likely choked on mud while unconscious.

Portwine pleaded guilty to murder during a hearing at Lewes Crown Court and was sentenced to life imprisonment.

The judge mentioned that drugs and alcohol played a role in the tragic outcome, and noted the relationship was turbulent and violent, with Ms.

Whitney often showing signs of abuse from Portwine, including black eyes and being locked inside her home.

Portwine handed himself into police the morning after the incident.