A JEALOUS husband who bludgeoned his wife to death with a hammer was last night beginning a life sentence after being found guilty of murder.

Michael Luke, 45, faces at least 14 years behind bars after the Teesside jury returned a unanimous verdict.

His daughter, Kimberley, 17, who was supported by her aunt, Susan Ashton, and grandmother, Diane Richardson, silently mouthed the word "yes", before collapsing in tears.

Luke had to be helped from the dock after nearly collapsing as he was led away to start his sentence.

Luke, who pleaded not guilty to the murder of Johanna, his wife of 18 years, on August 28 last year, said he "snapped" after finding out the 37-year-old had been having an affair.

It took the jury nearly four-and-a-half hours to return a verdict of guilty.

Judge Peter Fox, QC, told him: "I accept to a large extent that you are remorseful in the realisation of your deed, but that in large measure has been also tempered with a lot of self-pity.''

The judge said he accepted that there had been some provocation and that Luke was of previous good character, but recommended he serve at least 14 years.

Mrs Ashton and Kimberley spoke of their relief at the sentence.

They said the trial had been particularly difficult for the family.

Details of Mrs Luke's relationships with other men were revealed in an attempt to prove Luke's claims that he had been provoked when he hit her with a paving hammer in the family home, in Priory Gardens, Willington, County Durham.

Kimberley defended her mother saying: "She just wasn't like that.''

Mrs Ashton said: "We are obviously pleased with the verdict. Johanna had been so very unhappy for a number of years and, as I said in court, had tried to end her marriage so many times, but he would just not accept that fact.

"It has just been an emotional rollercoaster for the past 20 years.''

She condemned her brother-in-law for subjecting his children, particularly daughter Kimberley, to the two-week trial, in which her sister's character was called into question.

She said: "Johanna would have been disgusted.

"I feel let down. The fact that he killed her was bad enough, but what he has put us through over the past few weeks has been awful.

"He has tried to totally blacken her character. We will always remember how she really was - a caring, generous and warm person.

"She had a heart of gold."

Members of Mr Luke's immediate family, including his brother, Jeffrey, were also in court to hear the verdict.

They closed their eyes and kept their heads down as the jury announced its decision.

They left the court quietly, declining to speak to the Press waiting outside.

Detective Neil Malkin, who led the investigation, said: "We are delighted with the outcome. It has been a very difficult trial, emotional for everybody concerned. I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the family, who have conducted themselves with absolute dignity throughout.

"It has been difficult for them but, hopefully, this marks the point where they can hopefully begin to rebuild their lives."