Murderer Ricardo Morrison had history of attacking women

Jul 28 2009 By Pat Hurst, Press Association

Police were called. While officers were talking to his victim, Morrison sent a text to her saying: "Hope you die of cancer just like your dad."

Officers found him hiding in her shed. He was convicted of two assaults and harassment and given a community order, and a restraining order which he later broke.

Amy, who began dating Morrison in February 2008, would later tell friends of attacks with chilling similarities - locking her in rooms, punching her and putting his hands over her mouth so she could not breath.

Morrison, who described himself as a "woman pleaser", liked to give the impression of a successful young businessman, quiet spoken and self-assured.

"In my eyes, I think I have done well. I'm 22 and own two flats," he told the jury.

Morrison had bought two city-centre apartments in Birmingham, claiming to have £600,000 in equity.

In fact he was a "phoney" - mortgaged to the hilt and being chased by his bank. At the time he killed Amy the couple were living on a fold-up bed in the back bedroom of her grandmother's two-up, two-down terrace house in Bolton.

Stuart Driver, prosecuting, told the jury the defendant is a "profoundly two-faced man" and when he has a "little woman" before him, a bully.

Three weeks before Morrison stabbed Amy to death the couple were out in Zebrano nightclub in London's Soho to celebrate Amy's 19th birthday.

He stood blocking the way of a private booth being used by a party of five young women aged between 19 and 22.

When they asked him to move he punched two of the girls in the face and head butted another. He may also have used a bottle.

The attack was caught on CCTV but following his conviction for murder it may not now go to court.