A multi-millionaire businessman called 999 after killing girlfriend during rough sex session.
John Broadhurst, 40, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Natalie Connolly, 26, part way through his murder trial today, Metro UK reports.
The businessman had denied battering his partner of six months to death and claimed he had only hurt her ‘within the boundaries of her masochistic desires.’
A court heard Natalie was killed after the couple had spent a day drinking alcohol and taking cocaine before engaging in ‘rough sex’ on December 18, 2016.
Birmingham Crown Court heard that the mum-of-one was discovered wearing only a black skirt which was pulled up to her waist at the couple’s home in Kinver, West Midlands.
She was found in a pool of blood at the base of the staircase having suffered over 40 injuries – including blunt-force trauma to her head, buttocks and breast.
Natalie had also suffered horrific internal injuries which were inflicted during a bizarre sex game involving a bottle of carpet cleaner.
Jurors were told how Broadhurst may have wanted to ‘teach Natalie a lesson’ after finding out she had been sending topless pictures to another man on social media.
Broadhurst, a property developer with a fortune of around £15 million, went on trial last month charged with murder and causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent.
Today, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the basis of gross negligence having left her body at the foot of the stairs without contacting the emergency services in circumstances where ‘a risk of death as a result of her condition would have been obvious’.
Mr Justice Julian Knowles instructed the jury to find Broadhurst not guilty on the charges of murder and GBH.
Addressing Broadhurst, he added:
‘You have pleaded guilty to an offence of manslaughter by gross negligence.
‘Whilst is it not under the charge of murder it is still an exceptionally serious offence. ‘I have ordered for a pre-sentence report.
‘The fact that I am granting you bail, you should be prepared for a custodial sentence of some length. ‘I will await to have heard from both sides and then I will decide on the sentence. All sentencing options are open.’
The trial was told how Natalie called Broadhurst ‘the boss’ and the pair would regularly play out S&M sex sessions during which he would smack her with a belt.
Earlier on on the day of Natalie’s death, the couple had spent the afternoon drinking after watching West Bromwich Albion play Manchester United before going for a curry.
They were taken home in a chauffeur-driven Range Rover where the party continued in the kitchen and the pair consumed more alcohol and about two grams of cocaine.
Broadhurst, claimed Natalie later indicated that she wanted to have masochistic sex and had found her dead at the foot of the stairs the following morning.
Post-mortem analysis found she died from her injuries in conjunction with alcohol intoxication. She was found to be more than five times the drink-drive limit.
During the trial Natalie was described by pals as ‘a free spirit’ who was ‘full of fun’ and ‘always the life and soul of the party.’
The pair had been due to spend Christmas in Dubai with the defendant’s family and Natalie’s daughter from a previous relationship.
The court was also played a 999 call made by Broadhurst in the morning of December 18, 2016, in which he said:
‘I think she’s probably dead. ‘I woke up this morning, went downstairs. We had been drinking. She’s lying on the floor.’
He was also recorded telling operators his girlfriend was as ‘dead as a doughnut’, police revealed after the case. He repeatedly exclaimed ‘Oh my God’ as he tried to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on her. Broadhurst, of Wolverley, will be sentenced on December 17.
