SHE was the centre of a love- triangle murder case.

But last night, Mrs Carol Hay told how killer Ken Bill had wrecked so many lives.

Mrs Hay – who had an affair with Bill – spoke out hours after he was convicted of the murder of her husband, John Hay.

Mrs Hay, of Fenay Bridge, said: “I am so relieved that justice has been done and Ken Bill has been found guilty of this horrific crime.

“Not only has he wrecked the lives of my family, robbing us of a most wonderful husband, father and grandad, he has also surely devastated his own family's lives.

“The whole thing has been a terrible ordeal but I am so grateful to West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team for the diligent way in which this matter was investigated and the caring and sensitive manner in which our family has been treated”.

Mrs Hay and Bill had their affair 30 years after they had first got together.

Det Chief Insp Lisa Griffin, who headed the inquiry, said: “Kenneth Bill planned this murder in meticulous detail, intending to dispose of all evidence in the hope that John Hay’s family, friends and the police would believe that he had committed suicide by jumping off the Humber Bridge.

“But John Hay had no reason to commit suicide, he was a successful businessman with a loving wife, adult children and grandchildren.

“He was devoted to them and they in return loved him dearly.

“He was described by all who knew him as a hard working, thoroughly decent man who was a gentle giant.

“He was reported missing by his family after he failed to return home on Thursday, March 15 after taking his granddaughter to school that morning.

“He was then lured to industrial premises in Meltham Mills on the false pretext of undertaking building work and was beaten to death by Kenneth Bill.’’