Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Former cop jailed for wife's murder

Updated at 9:54 pm on 3 September 2010

A former Australian policeman has been jailed for at least 24 years for murdering his new wife by pushing her off a cliff south of Sydney.

In May, a jury found Des Campbell guilty of murdering Janet Campbell during a camping trip in the Royal National park in 2005.

The then paramedic claimed the 49-year-old accidentally fell off the 50-metre cliff after leaving their tent to go to the toilet.

But the Crown contended he murdered his besotted wife because he had merely been interested in her money.

Justice Latham set a maximum of 33 years for the 52-year-old when she sentenced him in the New South Wales Supreme Court on Friday.

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