'Monster' strangled girlfriend to death with TV wire after drunken argument

George Chalmers, 54, has been jailed for a minimum of 17 years and six months after he confessed to strangling girlfriend Ruth Baker until she died in Leeds, West Yorkshire in March this year

A violent ‘monster’ who strangled his girlfriend to death with a TV wire after a row has been jailed for life.

George Chalmers, 54, was ordered to serve a minimum of 17 years and six months in prison after he admitted murdering Ruth Baker, 48, at his home. He had originally called officers to the flat on Tempest Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, on March 30.

Chillingly he then told them how he had strangled mum-of-three Ruth to death following an argument - which a court heard happened after he had been drinking. Despite receiving medical attention, she was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

A post mortem examination found that Ruth, who was also a grandma, had died of compression of the neck. Chalmers was arrested at the scene and taken into custody, where he was later charged with her murder. He later pleaded guilty and was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court today.

Speaking after the hearing, Detective Superintendent Emma Winfield of West Yorkshire Police said: “Our sympathies remain with the family of Ruth Baker at this very sad time. We hope that they can take some comfort in knowing that Chalmers has now been jailed for life.”

Ruth’s family urged others who are trapped in unsafe relationships to speak out following the court case. They added: “We would like to thank West Yorkshire Police and the prosecution team for all their hard work and the liaison officers for all the support we have been given over the past seven months.

“We are so grateful too for the love and support we have received from our family and close friends. We would like to take this opportunity to urge all those people who find themselves stuck in an unsafe relationship to find the strength to seek out support and find bravery to out before they too are taken from us unnecessarily.”