Pilot who killed estranged wife with saucepan after she refused to reduce asking price of their home jailed

Andrew McIntosh admitting to killing his wife but denies murder on grounds of diminished responsibility

Andrew McIntosh (PA)

An airline pilot who beat his estranged wife to death with a saucepan after she refused to reduce the asking price of their home has been jailed.

Andrew McIntosh, 55, admitted to killing his wife, Patricia, 56, at their former marital home in Warwickshire, but denied murder on the grounds of diminished responsibility, blaming his actions on depression.

During a seven day trial McIntosh claimed he “lost control” after an argument and also punched and kicked his estranged wife.

He went home after the incident and told a friend what he had done via text message. He was arrested a short time later after his friend reported the incident.

McIntosh was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 17 years after a jury at Warwick Crown Court convicted him of murder on Wednesday.

In a statement, Patricia's family said: "We still don't understand and accept how or why this happened and why he has put us through a trial; he had the choice to do the right thing and plead guilty. He has shown no remorse."

McIntosh, a Boeing 737 captain, had moved out of the marital home in June 2017 during divorce proceedings.

After the attack he left the property and did nothing to raise the alarm.

Samantha Dixon, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “On the day of the murder, Andrew McIntosh visited the marital home, which had been put up for sale, as he was angry his wife was refusing to agree to a reduced sale price.

“He launched a frenzied attack, hitting her over the head with a saucepan, punching her and stamping on her head. Despite being aware his wife was seriously injured, he failed to call an ambulance and fled the scene.

“The defendant admitted to the unlawful killing of his wife, but denied her murder due to his mental health. However, after the jury heard the evidence put forward by the CPS, they convicted him of murder.

“Our thoughts are with Patricia’s family and friends.”