The heartbroken mother of murdered Salford mum Linzi Ashton has spoken of her relief after the killer of her daughter was caged for life.
Linzi was found with 108 injuries to her head and face after being murdered by Michael Cope who was today sentenced to a minimum of 27 years behind bars.
As the sentenced was passed a remorseless Cope smirked at Ms Ashton’s family.
In a statement her mother, Philomena McMahon said: “We as a family are all extremely relieved that this terrible ordeal has finally come to an end. I am thankful we did not have to sit in court to hear details of how our beautiful Linzi suffered.
“We can now start to get closure on the most traumatic year in all our lives. We all miss Linzi terribly, nothing will ever replace her. She left behind two gorgeous girls who will always be reminded what a beautiful, wonderful, caring person she was.
“A big light went out in our lives the day she died, she wasn’t just my daughter she was my best friend. I miss her every moment of every day.”
Cope, who has a string of convictions for violent offences, had subjected Ms Ashton to a history of domestic abuse.
Ms Ashton had reported to police that she feared for her life just months prior to being found dead.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating how police dealt with allegations made by Ashton against Cope months before she was killed.
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