A monstrous boyfriend who savagely beat and strangled his "vulnerable" lover to death leaving her with 71 injuries is beginning a life sentence.

Controlling David McCorkell, 54, launched the frenzied attack on 61-year-old Diane Dyer in her Beckenham home after weeks of abuse.

The pair only met three months previously while Diane was walking her dog.

She lived in an apartment in Fairline Court, Oakwood Avenue, Beckenham and McCorkell began visiting on an almost daily basis.

Friends began to be concerned about the impact he was having on her, noticing she had become withdrawn and painfully thin. Diane had complained of the way McCorkell was treating her on the days before he killed her.

On Thursday, July 18, a neighbour heard a man shouting and a woman screaming and what seemed to be the sounds of her being struck repeatedly from Diane's flat.

Later that day a friend called. A man she didn’t recognise answered the door covered in blood and told her Diane was not there and he was having a bad day having had a fight with a drug dealer.

He left the house while the friend was outside saying he was going to get Diane. While sure something was wrong, she decided to give it until the next day to report it to police.

Another friend did dial 999 having phoned Diane all evening without reply. She went to the flat and noticed the curtains had not been drawn and furniture had been moved.

Four minutes after the call police forced entry and found Diane dead in the bedroom.

A post-mortem found she had sustained 71 injuries consistent with being punched, stamped on and strangled. There was also evidence of older bruising.

"My grandchildren now know murderers exist while still believing in Father Christmas..." — Les Dyer

McCorkell fled to a friend's house, later telling him he had smothered his girlfriend with a pillow after she had upset him over his mother’s grave.

He was arrested in Highbury Hill five days later, initially denying murder and protesting he loved Diane.

He admitted murder at the Old Bailey last month and has now been jailed for life with a minimum term of 21-and-a-half years.

Diane’s husband Les Dyer, said: “Diane and I were married for nearly 41 years and separated amicably three years ago. We had two amazing children and two beautiful grandchildren together.

“Diane was loved by many people and would always help anyone in need. She was attractive, petite, fragile and sometimes vulnerable.

“McCorkell saw all of this in Diane and took advantage of her good nature and generosity.

“What led to McCorkell’s horrific attack on Diane we will never know as he chose not to speak to police.

“My family have been devastated by Diane’s murder. My grandchildren now know murderers exist while still believing in Father Christmas. This cannot be right. Diane should still be here now, about to enjoy Christmas with her loved ones.

“On behalf of my family, I would like to mention the homicide team led by DCI Mark Cranwell. We are eternally grateful for the immense efforts you all put in to the investigation. The support from you all, especially the family liaison officer, helped us navigate through this extremely difficult and emotional time.”

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell said: “The murder scene at the flat was truly horrendous and this was one of the most brutal killings I have ever had to deal with. Diane Dyer was a mother and grandmother, who was described as vulnerable, but she was murdered where she should have been safe; her own home.

“Her family have been left distraught by the terrible way Diane was taken from them.

“I have no doubt McCorkell exploited Diane for his own evil ends. This man has a history of violence and was on life-licence for a violent robbery at the time of the murder. If ever a man needs to be locked away to protect the public, it his him.

“Lastly it is my fear that there are other women like Diane who are vulnerable and being exploited by predators like McCorkell. I would implore anyone who knows someone who may be at risk from a violent partner to call police. Your call will give you peace of mind and might just save a life.”

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