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A Long Clawson man who shot his partner in the head has been convicted of her murder.
Shortly before 6.45pm on 21 September last year, police and the East Midlands Ambulance Service were called to the home of Richard Basson and Carrie Slater, in Kings Road, following a 999 call made by Basson in which he said Ms Slater ‘had been stabbed in the face with a pool cue’:
Basson: “I stabbed her in the face with a pool cue but I didn’t mean to stab her, I meant like just warn her and like jab at her and she walked straight into it with her head down.”
Operator: “Okay, so you stabbed her in the face?”
Basson: “I’ve hit her, I’ve hit her directly in the centre of the forehead and then it’s drifted off to her right, my left…
Operator: “Okay and what was it that you used?”
Basson: “Erm a pool cue, brass ended pool cue.”
Emergency services attended and found Ms Slater, 37, was found in a bedroom with a significant injury to the front of her head.
Police at the scene in Long Clawson in September last year. Photo: NEMM
While she was receiving treatment, Basson stayed outside the bungalow, behaving in an erratic manner and refusing to co-operate with officers. He did, however, disclose he was responsible for causing her injuries and was subsequently arrested on suspicious of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Following Basson’s arrest, officers conducted a routine search of their bungalow, both inside and out, and found a self-loading pistol and four rounds of ammunition – two live and two spent – in the back garden.
Richard Basson has been found guilty of murder. Photo: Leicestershire Police
On arrival at hospital, Ms Slater underwent scans and it became apparent her injury was in fact a gunshot wound.
She was placed on life support but two days later, on 23 September, it was withdrawn and she was pronounced dead by doctors. Basson, who remained in custody, was further arrested on suspicion of her murder. He was charged the following day.
Today (Tuesday 26 March), at Leicester Crown Court, 45-year-old Basson was convicted of one count of murder.
Detective Inspector Emma Matts, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) major crime team, was the senior investigating officer. She said: “My thoughts and condolences go out to Carrie’s family and loved ones, who I know are still struggling to come to terms with their loss and understand why Carrie was killed.
“Hopefully today’s outcome provides a degree of closure to those who were closest to her.
“Only Basson knows why he killed a woman he claimed to love. He’s never explained his actions. He’s never shown any remorse for killing another person.”
Basson is due to be sentenced at Leicester Crown Court tomorrow (Wednesday).