Man sentenced to life for murder of ex-wife in Shaw after sale of their family home

A man who murdered his ex-wife after finding out the sale of their family home would soon be completed has been jailed for life, with a minimum of 22 and a half years.

On May 4 this year, 62-year-old Susan Booth had returned to her home on Hillside Avenue in Shaw after completing her shift as a healthcare assistant at Royal Oldham Hospital, when she was struck from behind with an axe.

Her ex-husband, Stephen Booth (aged 64), of Churchfields, Audenshaw, called police shortly after, confessing to killing her.

Investigators pieced together how Booth had decided to kill his ex-wife after receiving a call from his solicitor, informing him the sale of the couple's family home, where he then lived, would be completed in a matter of days, for over £450,000.

The couple had separated in 2017.

Later that day, Stephen Booth travelled to Hillside Avenue in Shaw, where Susan had moved to following their separation, knowing she would soon return from her shift at work.

As Susan arrived home and left her car, Booth, without warning or conversation, struck her from behind repeatedly with an axe, causing catastrophic head injuries.

Susan was rushed to Royal Oldham Hospital, where she was pronounced dead a short time later.

He then called police to report the murder and left the scene, calling back shortly after to confess to killing his ex-wife.

Booth was arrested at his address and taken to Ashton police station for questioning, where he told detectives of the events leading up to the killing, stating that he hadn't seen his ex-wife for two years before attacking her.

His motive had centred around the sale of the family home, which Booth, a builder by profession, had built himself.

The sale of the property, for £452,000, prompted him to plan the killing, telling detectives he had nowhere else to live.

Booth was sentenced to life, with a minimum of 22 years at Manchester Crown Court, today (Tuesday) after pleading guilty to the murder of Susan Booth.

Susan's family paid tribute to her, describing her as 'the epitome of caring'.

Their tribute read: "Mum was the epitome of caring, both in her professional and personal life.

"If you knew her, you would have known that nothing was too much trouble, and she would help anyone who needed it.

"She was dedicated to her three grandchildren, who were the light of her life and will be deeply missed by all of us."

Senior Investigating Officer Duncan Thorpe, of Greater Manchester Police's Serious Crime Division, said: "This was a tragic event where a family has lost a cherished mother and grandmother.

"It is a complex and saddening case, and our specially trained officers are continuing to support the Booth family.

"Our thoughts and sympathies remain with them."

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.