The widow of murdered solicitor Jim Ward has thanked the prosecution team after a jury at Salisbury Crown Court this afternoon found Rowde builder Michael Chudley guilty of murdering her husband.

The jury of five women and seven men took a little over two hours to find Chudley, 63, guilty of murder.

He had denied the charge, pleading guilty of manslaughter by way of diminished responsibility.

Although Chudley had already pleaded guilty to charges of possessing a sawn-off shotgun with intent to commit an indictable offence, possession of the firearm with intent to cause receptionist Daphne Courtney to fear for her life and threats to kill her, the jury was asked to confirm the verdict.

Chudley showed no reaction to the verdict, and neither did the family of his victim.

On the steps outside the court, Mr Ward’s widow, Nicky Morris, said the family was pleased with how the case had ended.

She said: “We have always known that no verdict can bring Jim back. He was a kind, honest man, a wonderful father and a loving husband and father.

"We would like to thank many people, among them Mr Bill Mousley QC, Mr Thomas Wright and the Crown Prosecution Service, Detective Chief Inspector Ian Saunders and the Major Crime Investigation Team from Wiltshire Police for their persistent hard work and dedication.

"Also, the Wiltshire Police Family Liaison Officers and the Victim Homicide Service for all their support during this extremely difficult period."

Ms Morris was accompanied by daughter Louise, son Alex and brother-in-law Richard Ward. Her other daughter, Pippa, is on holiday.