RAZZELL VERDICT: GLYN Razzell is today starting a life sentence after a jury found him guilty of murdering his estranged wife, Linda.

The unanimous verdict came at the end of a 31-day trial at Bristol Crown Court.

Mother-of-four Linda, 41, of Pentylands Close, Highworth disappeared on March 19 last year after dropping off her children at school in Highworth and parking her red Ford Escort in Alvescot Road, Old Walcot.

Despite extensive police searches, her body has never been found.

Razzell, who wore the same grey suit throughout the trial, maintained his innocence right until the end. He showed no emotion when the verdict was delivered.

Earlier in the trial the jury had heard that Razzell and his wife had been through an acrimonious divorce.

Around the time she vanished, Swindon County Court had indicated that she would receive the former marital home in Highworth, and a lump sum of £30,000 as part of her divorce settlement.

On sentencing Razzell, 44, a former investment market manager with Swindon-based Zurich Financial Services to life, the Judge Mr Justice Christopher Pitchers told Razzell: "You have deprived four young children, who you should have loved and protected, of their mother."

Razzell now has 21 days in which to lodge and appeal. He is almost certain to do so.

Almost 24 hours after they first retired, the seven man, five women jury returned shortly after 3.30pm yesterday.

They took six and a half hours to reach their decision a rapid verdict that surprised the assembled family and police officers.

The courtroom was packed with members of Linda;s family, dectectives involved in OPeration Docker and family liasion officres who waited nervously for the jury to deliver their verdict.

Some sat with their heads in their hands, other stared into space while Julie Westmore, Linda's cousin and carer of her four children sat in thye front row of the public gallery calm and composed, as she had done for the duration of teh trial.

When Mr Justice Pitchers announced the life sentence, Razzell simply picked up his black folio in which he had made notes throughout the case and looked at the family in the public gallery. He said nothing and shuffled out of court.

His girlfriend, Rachel Smith, also did not show her feelings as she watched her lover being led away.

Mr Justice Pitchers had warned those in teh public gallery not to show emotion, whatever the verdict, but inevitably there were tears as 18 months of heartache and uncertainty came to an end.

Razzell's eldest daughter Catherine sat crying while Linda's brothers, Neil and Graham Davies, held their heads in their hands.

Linda's boyfriend Greg Worrall stared in silence.

Even police officers who have worked on the case for nearly two years stood outside the courtroom visibly moved, some in tears.

Telling Razzell the only penalty could be one of life imprisonment Mr Justice Pitchers said: "This is a wicked offence. Unless you chose to do so we shall never know how you killed your wife, equally we shall never know what the motive was but you have an obsessive interest in money.

"You have deprived four young children, who you should have loved and protected, of their mother. This is as dreadful a loss as can be imagined."

The judge also told murderer Razzell he had deprived Linda's family of the small token of comfort that could be had from laying her body to rest.