HE told a “tissue of lies” lies to save himself from prison but a Scarborough man is now beginning a life sentence for the murder of his ex-girlfriend.

Nigel Pickard, 45, was convicted of killing Laura Smith, the mother of a one-year-old girl, following a nine day trial at Leeds Crown Court.

Pickard, a driving instructor from Scarborough, was found guilty and sentenced to a minimum of 15 years on Friday.

Detective inspector Andrea Kell, of North Yorkshire Police said she was “extremely pleased with the verdict”.

She said: “There was never any doubt that Pickard was responsible for Laura’s death. He killed her following the breakdown of their relationship.

“However, he consistently denied that he intended to kill her. Having heard the evidence the jury has seen through his tissue of lies, finding him guilty of a vicious attack resulting in the death of a vibrant and very popular young woman.”

Laura Smith, a 29-year-old hairdresser, died in at Scarborough General Hospital after being discovered unconscious at a house in Southwold Rise, Eastfield on July 11. She died the following day and a post mortem revealed she had been strangled.

DI Kell said Laura’s family and friends had been devastated by the loss and told how the murder victim’s baby daughter, Olivia, was now being raised by grandparents.

She said: ““I would like to add my personal thanks to Laura’s family and her many friends for their assistance and co-operation throughout the investigation. I hope that the outcome at court will provide a small measure of comfort as they try to rebuild their lives.”