A man has been jailed for life after murdering a mother of seven who vanished almost 30 years ago .

Patricia Lashley was living with Trevor Dunkley, who attacked her while she lay in bed in Hall Street, Dudley in 1998, before disposing of her body in household waste months later.

Dunkley, 66, escaped justice for nearly 30 years before his shock confession earlier this year, West Midlands police said.

When the Missing Persons Investigation Team visited him as part of an investigation, he said: “I killed her. I'm sorry.” He was arrested and charged with murder and convicted at Wolverhampton Crown Court in September.

Dunkley claimed that he feared the police were “onto him” as part of the reason why he chose to confess nearly 30 years after the murder. He claimed a “red mist” had come down, which led to him hitting her with his fists in a sudden violent attack.

When Dunkley came home from work that night and found Ms Lashley lying on the bed, he realised she was dead.…