A man cried in court as he admitted stabbing a ‘beautiful’ university lecturer to death in Plymouth.
Paul Antony Butler, 53, has admitted to murdering his ex-partner Claire Chick, 48, in the city of Devon. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to possessing a bladed article.
Claire Chick tragically passed away due to multiple stab wounds to her chest and abdomen. The attack occurred while she was walking along West Hoe road on the evening of January 22. She succumbed to her injuries later in the hospital.
Butler, of Stangray Avenue, Plymouth, spoke only to confirm his name and enter his pleas during the hearing at Plymouth Crown Court.
The defendant – six feet five inches tall – appeared on video link from prison and wiped tears from his eyes as he entered his pleas.
During the brief hearing Judge Robert Linford agreed that Butler will be sentenced on April 25th.
The prosecutor, Miss Joanna Martin KC, mentioned that at the sentencing, the judge will review a compilation of CCTV footage, listen to phone recordings, and consider statements from Ms. Chick’s two daughters who were present in court to hear Butler’s guilty pleas.
Ms Chick, previously known as Claire Butler, had five grandchildren who call her ‘favourite grandma’, according to a heartbreaking family tribute.
Ex students described her as ‘a caring inspirational lady’ who had a ‘kind soul’.
Adam Vaitilingham, KC, defending, said the defence will not be relying on a psychiatric report because of the ‘inevitable sentence’.
Paul Antony Butler, 53, admitted murdering Claire Chick, 48, during an incident in Plymouth in January
Claire Chick, 48, a lecturer in adult nursing at Plymouth University, was killed in the West Hoe area in January
Claire pictured with 53-year-old Paul Butler, who has admitted her murder
Judge Linford told Butler, who was wearing a red sports shirt on the link, said: ‘I am going to order 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 eligible for parole.
‘You understand I know that the sentence for murder is fixed by law. On that day you wll receive a sentence of life imprisonment.’
Devon and Cornwall Police were called to reports a woman had been seriously injured on West Hoe Road in Plymouth at 8.55pm on January 22.
She was taken to hospital but died in the early hours of the next day.
Butler sparked a widespread manhunt after he was named as a suspect following the murder. He was found by officers 20 miles away in Launceston.
In a statement, issued via Devon and Cornwall Police, the family said: ‘We are absolutely devastated and broken at the loss of our beautiful caring mother Claire Chick.
‘She was the most beautiful lively soul and was there for everyone. Everyone who knew our mum had so much positive words to say about her.
‘She was the life and soul of any place where she was.
Butler, of Stangray Avenue, Plymouth, spoke only to confirm his name and enter his pleas during the hearing at Plymouth Crown Court. Pictured: With Ms Chick
Ms Chick, previously known as Claire Butler, had five grandchildren who call her ‘favourite grandma’, according to a heartbreaking family tribute
Forensics officers used torches to search the street as they worked late into the night following the discovery of her body
Police erected a police cordon between Great Western Road and West Hoe Road after Ms Chick was found ‘seriously injured’ in the street
‘She loved to dance and sing even though she was pretty bad at it she had no shame in doing it in front of any audience.
‘We will never get over this as a family, she was our glue and our go-to. We won’t ever get the justice our mum deserves for this because no amount of justice will bring her back.
‘We want to thank everyone for their kind words, and we invite anyone who knew her to share their memories of her.
‘We also would like to remind the public she leaves behind five beautiful grandchildren who all refer to her as ‘a favourite grandma’.
‘We ask you respect their privacy, and everyone remains respectful to them.
‘She may be gone but her spirit will always remain alive. We love you mum, and we promise to make you proud.’
Devon and Cornwall Police made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct due to previous contact with the victim. The force said this was ‘normal procedure in these circumstances’.
It is not clear what sort of previous contact officers had with Ms Chick but is understood to have been connected with Butler.
Vice-chancellor of Plymouth University – where Claire worked – Professor Richard Davies said: ‘We have been shocked and saddened by the death of a much loved member of our university community.
‘Having spoken with Claire’s colleagues, I know that her contribution to Plymouth was significant and deeply felt – she was a respected nurse, lecturer, and personal tutor, ensuring students were supported academically and pastorally.
Court sketch of Paul Butler (left) appearing at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court charged with the murder of Claire Chick
People light candles during a vigil in memory of Claire Chick organised by her daughters Bethany and Lydia at Smeaton’s Tower lighthouse on Plymouth’s Hoe
‘As associate head of school for international in our school of nursing and midwifery, she was closely involved in developing nursing programmes, students and academics in Europe, Africa and Asia.
‘As a colleague, Claire’s humour and warmth will be dearly missed by academic and support staff.
‘Pastoral support is in place for staff and students who knew Claire and have been affected by this tragic news, and further events are being organised to remember her.
‘In the meantime, our thoughts are with Claire’s family and friends at this impossibly difficult time.’
Ms Chick worked at the University of Plymouth first as a lecturer in Adult Nursing, before becoming a deputy programme lead and the Associate Head of School for Internationalism.
She had worked at the university for nine years and had previously spent five and a half years working at the University of Leicester where she was a senior cardiac research nurse and trial coordinator.
She had a first class degree in registered nursing and a PhD from Plymouth and a first class post graduate diploma.
Butler was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on April 25th at Plymouth Crown Court.
Head of Major Crime Detective Superintendent Rachael Bentley said: ‘We note the guilty plea entered at Plymouth Crown Court today by Paul Butler following the murder of Claire Chick in Plymouth on 22 January.
‘Our thoughts continue to be with Claire’s family and friends who have lost someone who was so dearly loved and adored by many.
‘We will now await and prepare for the sentencing of Butler on 25 April by His Honour Judge Linford.’
An IOPC spokesperson said: ‘After assessment of a referral from Devon and Cornwall Police we decided to investigate police contact with Claire Chick prior to her death in Plymouth on 22 January.
‘We understand Ms Chick had contact with the force on a number of occasions since 2023.
‘Our investigation is considering the actions and decisions taken by Devon and Cornwall Police and examining whether relevant policies and procedures were followed.
‘Our thoughts are with Ms Chick’s family and all those affected by her distressing death. We have met with Ms Chick’s family to explain our role and express our sincere condolences.’
This is a breaking story, more to follow.
