{"id":1067,"date":"2025-03-18T13:41:43","date_gmt":"2025-03-18T14:41:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/softnary.com\/?p=1067"},"modified":"2025-03-18T23:11:41","modified_gmt":"2025-03-18T23:11:41","slug":"man-admits-murdering-university-lecturer-found-stabbed-on-the-street","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/softnary.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/18\/man-admits-murdering-university-lecturer-found-stabbed-on-the-street\/","title":{"rendered":"Man admits murdering university lecturer found stabbed on the street"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Paul Antony Butler, 53, has pleaded guilty at Plymouth Crown Court to the murder of university lecturer Claire Chick, 48 (Picture: PA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A man has admitted murdering a university lecturer who was found seriously injured on the street.<\/p>\n

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

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.<\/p>\n

In a statement, the family praised the mum and grandmother, saying: \u2018We are absolutely devastated and broken at the loss of our beautiful caring mother Claire Chick.<\/p>\n

\u2018She 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.<\/p>\n

\u2018She was the life and soul of any place where she was. 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.<\/p>\n

\u2018We will never get over this as a family, she was our glue and our go-to. We won\u2019t ever get the justice our mum deserves for this because no amount of justice will bring her back.<\/p>\n

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Forensic officers at the scene in Plymouth where Claire was stabbed (Picture: Matt Keeble\/PA Wire)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018We want to thank everyone for their kind words, and we invite anyone who knew her to share their memories of her.<\/p>\n

\u2018We also would like to remind the public she leaves behind five beautiful grandchildren who all refer to her as \u201ca favourite grandma\u201d\u2018.<\/p>\n

\u2018We ask you respect their privacy, and everyone remains respectful to them.<\/p>\n

\u2018She may be gone but her spirit will always remain alive. We love you mum, and we promise to make you proud.\u2019<\/p>\n

Claire, previously known as Claire Butler, was described as an \u2018amazing tutor and phenomenal lecturer\u2019 by a former student.<\/p>\n

Richard Davies, vice-chancellor of the University of Plymouth, described her contribution to the university as \u2018significant and deeply felt\u2019 and said he colleagues would miss her \u2018humour and warmth\u2019.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

He has now pleaded guilty to both charges at Plymouth crown court.<\/p>\n

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Paul Antony Butler has pleaded guilty to murder (Picture: Devon and Cornwall Police\/PA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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\n\t\t\t\tThis Is Not Right\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
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On November 25, 2024 Metro<\/strong> launched This Is Not Right, a year-long campaign to address the relentless epidemic of violence against women.<\/p>\n

With the help of our partners at Women’s Aid, This Is Not Right aims to shine a light on the sheer scale of this national emergency.<\/p>\n

You can find more articles here<\/a><\/strong>, and if you want to share your story with us, you can send us an email at vaw@metro.co.uk<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n