Brutal murder in Plymouth: Man pleads guilty to killing lecturer

A man has admitted murdering a university lecturer who was found seriously injured on the street.

Claire Chick, 48, who worked at the University of Plymouth, was rushed to hospital after being found in the city on January 22 but she died the next day.

The inquest into her death opened last month and said her preliminary cause of death was recorded as stab wounds to her chest and abdomen.

Claire’s family previously described her as ‘the most beautiful lively soul’ and someone who ‘loved to dance and sing’.

A mum and grandmother, they said they would ‘never get over this as a family, she was our glue and our go-to’.

She left behind ‘five beautiful grandchildren who all refer to her as a favourite grandma’.

Paul Antony Butler has pleaded guilty to murder (Picture: Devon and Cornwall Police/PA)

‘She may be gone but her spirit will always remain alive. We love you mum, and we promise to make you proud,’ they added.

Claire, previously known as Claire Butler, was described as an ‘amazing tutor and phenomenal lecturer’ by a former student.

Richard Davies, vice-chancellor of the University of Plymouth, described her contribution to the university as ‘significant and deeply felt’ and said he colleagues would miss her ‘humour and warmth’.

A manhunt was launched for Paul Antony Butler, who was arrested about 20 miles away on January 24 on suspicion of her murder and possessing a bladed article.

Forensic officers at the scene in Plymouth where Claire was stabbed (Picture: Matt Keeble/PA Wire)

He has now pleaded guilty to both charges at Plymouth crown court.

Butler, 53 and from Stangray Avenue in Plymouth, appeared on video link from prison and appeared to wipe a tear away from his face as he entered his pleas.

Judge Robert Linford told Butler: ‘I am going to order that a psychiatric report is prepared upon you, which will assist the court in determining the minimum term that must be served by you before you are considered for parole.

‘You understand, I know, that the sentence for the offence of murder is fixed by law and on that date you will receive a sentence of life imprisonment, but the minimum term will be affected by submissions I hear from the prosecution barrister and your barrister, and that which is contained in the psychiatric report which I now order.

‘You will remain in custody until that day.’

Devon and Cornwall Police referred Claire’s death to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over ‘previous contact with the victim’.

Butler will be sentenced on April 25.