Refuse Worker Locked Up for Murder of Partner in Bognor Regis
Wayne Morris, 47, a refuse worker from Bognor Regis, has been jailed for life after murdering his partner, Ruth Brown, 52. The shocking killing happened at Ruth’s home in Collyer Avenue on 8 April last year.
Brutal Attack Ends Ruth’s Life
Morris was convicted following an eight-day trial at Brighton Crown Court. He was sentenced on 18 February to life imprisonment with a minimum of 17 years behind bars.
Ruth’s family reported her missing after she hadn’t been heard from since the day of the attack. When found three days later, she was dead in her bed. The postmortem revealed severe, repeated head injuries caused by a plastic tray, parts of which were found broken in the kitchen and in a bin outside the house.
Fugitive Refuse Worker Caught on the Isle of Wight
After the attack, Morris moved Ruth’s body upstairs and tried to clean the kitchen before fleeing. He left Bognor on 11 April and headed to the Isle of Wight, camping rough in a tent. Police tracked him down and arrested him the following day in Sandown.
Family Speak Out on Ruth’s Tragic Death
“My sister Ruth was taken from us in the most terrible and tragic of circumstances,” said Frank Brown, Ruth’s brother. “Wayne Morris will have to live with the consequences of his actions, but so will the rest of us. Lauren and Arran will never know their loving mother again. We will never see our beloved sister.”
“The shock of Ruth’s murder, coming so soon after losing our eldest brother, has left a permanent scar on our family.”
“We thank the jury for finding Morris guilty, and ask for privacy as we grieve.”
Detective Inspector Mark O’Brien of Sussex Police said: “Morris and Ruth had a relationship for years but only recently lived together due to the pandemic. The violent attack was sustained and brutal, resulting in Ruth’s death.”
Despite Morris’ claims of memory loss due to intoxication, the jury saw through his defence and convicted him of murder. Morris now faces many years behind bars for his horrific crime.
