Mitesh Patel, the owner of Roman Road Pharmacy, was charged with the murder of Jessica Patel – who also worked at the pharmacy – after she was found dead in their home on May 14.

Mr Patel was found guilty of her murder at Teesside Crown Court yesterday (December 4), following a trial which lasted almost three weeks. He was sentenced to life in prison today (December 5).

Cleveland Police detective chief inspector Matt Murphy-King said Mr Patel staged the murder scene to make it appear that Ms Patel had been murdered during a burglary, “which the investigation categorically proved to be a lie”.

“Significant” evidence showed Mr Patel had researched and planned the murder of Ms Patel for “a number of years”, Mr Murphy-King said in a statement published today.

“Even when faced with overwhelming evidence, Mitesh chose to inflict further pain and suffering upon Jess’s family by not admitting guilt, thereby exposing Jess’s family to his deceitful, dishonest and wicked ways throughout trial,” he added.

Roman Road Pharmacy is now “permanently closed”, according to its Google listing.