Mitesh Patel ‘strangled wife’ to begin new life with gay lover
Mitesh Patel is accused of murdering his wife Jessica Patel
Pharmacist Mitesh Patel strangled his wife with a plastic bag to start a new life with a gay lover, a court has heard.
Patel, 37, is accused of murdering his wife Jessica Patel at their home in Middlesbrough, England, on May 14.
Teesside Crown Court heard that the pharmacist, who denies murder, repeatedly cheated on his wife with several men from gay hook-up app Grindr.
The prosecution claims that Patel planned to kill his wife, cover up the crime, claim £2 million from her life insurance policy, and then move to Australia to start a new life with his gay lover.
Jessica Patel was murdered in May 2018. (Family photo)
According to The Times, prosecutor Nicholas Campbell, QC told the court: “The prosecution does not need to give a motive but in this case there is ample evidence of it.
Prosecutor Nicholas Campbell claimed he was planning to use life insurance money “to start a new life in Australia.”
“From various life insurance policies Mitesh Patel stood to profit from his wife’s death to the tune of £2 million.
“He was planning to use the money to start a new life in Australia and that life would be shared with the person who he really loved, one who he regarded as his soul mate – another man.”
Mitesh Patel searched ‘I need to kill my wife’, prosecution says
The prosecutor told the court that Mitesh Patel had planned the murder “for some time,” and searched online for the terms “I need to kill my wife,” “insulin overdose,” “plot to kill my wife, do I need a co-conspirator?,” “hiring hitman UK,” and “how much methadone will kill you?” as well as advice for planning a funeral.
After his wife’s death, Patel told police that she had been killed by an intruder who burgled their home and tied her up with duct tape while he was out.
Mitesh Patel and Jessica Patel, in a photo uploaded to social media.
Campbell told the court that Patel had attempted to stage the murder scene and create a false alibi, adding that the intruder story was a “lie.”
Mitesh Patel’s DNA was found under the fingernails of his wife, suggesting she fought back, the court was told.
According to the BBC, Campbell told the court: “Jessica Patel had been killed as a result of pressure being brought to bear on her neck. She was strangled.
“The prosecution case was that a plastic shopping bag, ironically a Tesco Bag For Life, was used both as a ligature and to suffocate her.”
Mitesh Patel denies murder.
The trial continues.
Jurors who used Grindr were excused from the case
Mitesh Patel used the gay hook-up app Grindr to meet men. (Getty)
All jurors who have used Grindr were previously excused from the case.
Mr Justice James Goss told the potential jurors: “It is agreed that to seek to ensure your objectivity as jurors that if you frequented the Roman Road Pharmacy over the last seven years or you have used the Grindr app at any time over the same period you should be excused from sitting in this case.
“If either of these apply you should not be considered to be available for selection.”
