VINCENT MORGAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON IN YORK FOR BRUTAL MURDER OF EX-PARTNER

Vincent Morgan has been convicted of murdering his former partner, Lisa Welford, in Malton. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years after being found guilty of drowning her in the River Derwent. During his sentencing at Leeds Crown Court, it was disclosed that Morgan, aged 47, has a long and troubling criminal history, with 47 previous convictions. His past was marked by violent behavior, including a pattern of domestic abuse.

One particularly unsettling incident from 2022 was highlighted, where Morgan manipulated and exploited his elderly neighbor, Raymond Whitwell, a 102-year-old World War Two veteran who fought at Dunkirk. Mr. Whitwell had hired Morgan for gardening work, trusting him. However, Morgan deceived him into handing over his bank card under false pretenses of borrowing money, then stole £4,240 from his account. Morgan also stole Mr. Whitwell’s war medals and battle brochures. He admitted to charges of fraud, theft, and handling stolen goods, serving a 15-month sentence for these crimes.

The escalation of Morgan’s violent conduct ultimately resulted in the murder of Lisa Welford, with whom he had a history of violence. At the time of the murder, Morgan was under his third Violence Prevention Order and was on police bail for an assault on Ms. Welford. Despite these legal restrictions, he breached the order on 24 April by drinking with her in York. Later that day, they traveled back to Malton.

The court was told that Morgan and Ms. Welford were drinking near the River Derwent when he broke her femur and then held her underwater, which led to her death in hospital the following day. Judge Guy Kearl described Morgan as a "brutal and callous" individual, stating, "for some years you were her partner, someone who ought to have cared for her and looked after her." The judge also noted that Morgan had exhibited violent tendencies over the past twenty years, especially when under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The verdict underscores the brutality and criminality of Morgan’s actions, ending with his incarceration for the murder.