Bolton murderer 'illegally in the country for 20 years'

Obert Moyo was jailed for life this week after brutally murdering 35-year-old Perseverance Ncube, known affectionally as “Percy”, in Little Hulton in November last year.

Speaking after the sentencing hearing detectives who had worked on the case said Moyo, who had been living in Great Lever at the time, stalked Ms Ncube for months before killing her.

DCI Gina Brennand said: “He spent hours outside her address and while this was not reported to police, this is recorded on his immigration electronic monitoring tag and on CCTV.

“He could not accept his relationship with Percy was over.”

Speaking from the steps outside Manchester Crown Court DCI Brennand said that Moyo appeared to have planned his attack on Ms Ncube’s home on Dukesgate Close, Little Hulton.

He appeared to have stopped and bought petrol in a can shortly beforehand.

DCI Brennand said: “And I believe that the petrol in the can was intended to burn her house down after he had killed her.”

She added: “Moyo was an illegal immigrant, he was on a prison licence having served a 14-year term for a violent offence against another woman.

“He is a danger to women.”

Perseverance Ncube was murdered in front of her two children (Image: GMP)

Moyo, 46 of Pennington Road, Great Lever, pleaded guilty to murder on what would have been the first day of his trial earlier this week.

DCI Brennand said that this was “the least he could have done” and paid tribute to the “unspeakable bravery” of Ms Ncube’s two young children.

She took the opportunity to remind the public that stalking is a “very serious offence.”

More than a decade ago, Moyo was sentenced to 14 years in prison for wounding another former partner of his in Brighton in 2012.

This was the sentence he was still serving on licence when he murdered Ms Ncube.

ALSO READ: Murderer already tagged when he stabbed ex-partner in front of her young children

ALSO READ: Bolton man confesses to murdering 'loving and devoted' woman in her own home

ALSO READ: Devoted mother died from 'stab wound to the chest', coroner hears

The court had previously heard how Moyo had not told his probation officers that he had started a new relationship, which had been one of the conditions of his release from prison on licence.

Speaking after the hearing on Tuesday, DS Fiona Manning said: “Moyo sentence today will not bring Percy back to the family that loved and adored her so much.

“Percy’s family deserves answers as to why this man, as dangerous as Moyo, was allowed to remain in this country illegally for over 20 years.

“Had Moyo been deported, Percy’s children would still have a mother.”

Moyo was jailed for life with a minimum term of 27 years.