A BROMSGROVE man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the murder of his wife on December 31 last year.

David Clark, formerly of Cloverdale, Bromsgrove, was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court earlier today.

Shortly after 11.50pm on Sunday 31 December last year, police were called to the Clark's home address where 44-year-old Melanie Clark was found deceased in an upstairs bedroom.

A post-mortem later confirmed the cause of her death to be from a stab wound to the chest.

49-year-old Clark was arrested at the scene and was charged with Melanie's murder on January 2.

He appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on the same day and was remanded in custody.

Clark was found guilty of the murder on Wednesday 27 June, following a three-week trial at Birmingham Crown Court.

Investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson from West Mercia Police, said: "This was a tragic, senseless crime which has devastated Melanie's family and has left her children to grow up without a mother.

"I am thankful that justice has been served and I sincerely hope today's sentencing will provide a small sense of closure for Melanie's family, who have been left to face the full repercussions of Clark's actions in the most painful way.

"My thoughts remain with them as they continue to rebuild their lives, and I would continue to ask that their privacy is respected at this difficult time.

"I would like to thank all of the officers and staff involved within this investigation, who have worked tirelessly to ensure that David Clark was brought before the courts and will now face justice for his actions."