28 September 2011 Last updated at 14:15

Hammer murder husband is jailed for at least 16 years

A man who admitted murdering his wife by hitting her with a hammer while she slept at their Northamptonshire home has been jailed for at least 16 years.

Colin Adlard, 61, took the hammer from the garden shed at their house in Chase Park Road, Yardley Hastings, and hit his wife Wendy over the head.

Northampton Crown Court heard he hit her three times.

The court was told the couple argued frequently and Adlard's barrister told the court "a red mist came over him".

After killing his wife, Adlard called police to their home.

Neighbours of the couple told offices that they heard them arguing four or five times a week, the court heard.

Judge Charles Wide QC said Adlard's wife of more than 30 years had been "defenceless and asleep" when she was murdered.

The couple's daughter, who has not been named, spoke after sentencing and said: "Knowing that my dad is going to prison for murdering my mum is hard to put into words, but what I do know is that even though he took my mum away he will never be able to take away the memories of fun and laughter that we shared as a family.

"I am not on my own, I have a fantastic family who are loving and supportive and they have helped me through this trauma.

"My dad however, has to go to bed tonight, all alone, with his memories of what happened that night."