Dawlish man jailed for murdering wife

A 37-year-old man has been found guilty of murdering his wife at Exeter Crown Court today (Tuesday 3 November).

James Luke McDonald (pictured) of Kingsdown Crescent, Dawlish, was sentenced to life imprisonment, to serve a minimum term of 17 and a half years, for the murder of Sophie McDonald in January.

Sophie (pictured) was reported missing to police at around 6.40pm on Wednesday 28 January 2015.

An extensive search was undertaken by specialist officers and volunteer search and rescue groups.

Sophie’s body was later discovered at a property in Iddesleigh Terrace, Dawlish, at around 3am on Thursday 29 January.

Sophie’s mother and father have released the following statement: “Sophie has been murdered there clearly are no winners.

“We can only now begin to come to terms with the reality of this situation.

“It isn't possible for justice to have been done for such a terrible thing that James McDonald has done to our wonderful daughter, sister and friend to so many people.

“He now has his time in prison to reflect on what he has done. We only hope that with a long passage of time to reflect upon his actions he may become a different person.

“He will eventually be released to re build a new life, however we are all serving a life long sentence.

“Forgiveness is something we should endeavour to offer, however that isn't something that will come easily. He has taken away the one person that gave their children everything - and that alone is impossible to replace.

“We now ask that our privacy is respected at this continually difficult time.”

Detective Inspector Steve Davies, Senior Investigating Officer, said: “This was not a straight forward investigation. This result follows a very detailed and comprehensive nine-month investigation by the Major Crime Investigation Team.

“The police, Crown Prosecution Service and the Queen’s Counsel have worked professionally and diligently to bring this offender to justice.

“Working closely at all times with the family I can say they have acted with the utmost dignity. Two parents have lost their daughter, a brother has lost his sister and three children have lost their mother. I now hope that this result in some way will assist them to move forward in their lives.”