The Mirror
By Ben McVay
14:43, 12 NOV 2018 Updated 15:22, 12 NOV 2018
A “paranoid” and “psychotic” husband has been jailed for at least nine years after strangling his wife to death during dinner.
Adrian Rodi, 49, killed his spouse Angela Rider after becoming “increasingly controlling” of the way the freelance beautician dressed and acted.
When police later told him he was being arrested on suspicion of murder, he chillingly replied, “There’s no suspicion of murder”, a court heard.
He added: “I’ve just f ** killed someone and we’re standing here.”
The court was told how Rodi “manipulated” his wife’s “caring nature” to control her while violently asphyxiating her on three separate occasions.
He pushed her face into a pillow during their honeymoon in Thailand, it was said.
Rodi even bought a house on the same street as his estranged wife and mother-of-one to be closer to her after a period of separation.
Prosecutor Kama Melly QC told Leeds Crown Court, West Yorkshire, how “dangerous” Rodi strangled Angela to the point of losing consciousness while they holidayed in Greece.
While on their honeymoon in Thailand in a case of “extreme paranoia” he pushed his wife’s face into a pillow after accusing her of behaving “provocatively” with men.
Rodi made a “serious” suicide attempt after Angela, 51, also a property developer, separated from him following the incident in Thailand.
However, the court was told how Rodi would “use emotional tools to get (Angela) to resume the relationship” with him.
On another occasion in December 2014, he was made subject of a hospital order after strangling her. However, he was released the following March.
After being diagnosed with depression with psychotic symptoms Rodi stopped taking his antidepressant medication Sertraline nine months later.
The court heard how after the couple returned from a trip to Greece in 2016, Angela appeared “scared”.
She lacked confidence and even her dress sense had changed as her character became more controlled around Rodi.
Judge Tom Bayliss QC told how in the months prior to Angela’s murder, Rodi became increasingly abusive.
After buying a house on the same street as her in Selby, North Yorkshire, he began spending more time with her again.
The court heard Angela’s daughter Sara Rider spent time with her and Rodi in the Lake District the week before her killing and described him as “smothering” her.
The court was told how Rodi and Angela were “halfway through a dinner” when he strangled her on March 4.
She was found at her home after Rodi had “picked her up and laid her on the sofa” then called the police “informing them he had strangled his ex-partner”.
Police caught up with Rodi at just after 1.30am on March 5 in a car park in the Lake District in his vehicle.
As he was told he was under arrest under suspicion of murder, he told them there was “no suspicion of murder” and he’d “just f ** killed someone”.
Leeds Crown Court was told how Angela’s body was found with lacerations and bruises caused by blunt force trauma.
Rodi pleaded guilty to manslaughter in September this year.
Today, Judge Bayliss QC gave him a life sentence with a minimum of nine years, telling him he will go to jail after serving a hospital order.
The judge told Rodi: “The victim of this terrible crime is Angela Ryder.
“She is you ex-wife and someone who I do not doubt you loved.
“Her family will miss her greatly – their loss is unimaginable.
“She was a generous and strong independent woman who could stick up for herself – she was an amazing daughter.
“The picture is one of a controlling and coercive relationship with occasional acts of violence.
“After what you did in Greece your relationship broke down – what is surprising is that you two got back together.
“You do not accept that your intention was to cause serious harm or kill her – I am quite sure you intended to kill her.
“It was not premeditated and I have no doubt you regretted it afterwards.”
Judge Bayliss QC said Rodi’s illness had played a “significant contributory role” in Angela’s death.
He said it was Rodi’s fault he had stopped taking his medication and the consequences had been “catastrophic”.
Reading a statement out to the court today, Angela’s sister Tracy Mills sobbed as she told how Rodi had “stolen her future”.
“She told me (Rodi) was a slob – I never understood why she stayed with him.
“Angela was always a strong character but I remember a change in her character and coming back from Greece with (Rodi).
“She lacked confidence and even her dress sense had changed – her character was always more controlled around Rodi.”I feel like half of me is gone – my best friend has been taken from me.
“I will never get over the loss of my baby sister – she must have suffered before her death and I will never get that out of my mind.”
Judge Bayliss QC sentenced Rodi to nine years and 114 days.
He was made the subject of a hospital order at Newton Lodge medium secure unit in West Yorkshire and will serve the remainder of his time in prison after his release.
As Rodi was led away from the dock he showed no emotion.