A FORMER Dorset Police officer who killed his long-term lover has had his prison sentence extended.

Court of Appeal judges have ruled that Timothy Brehmer should be given a prison sentence of 13 years and six months’ imprisonment. 

Brehmer, 41 and of Hordle, New Forest, was jailed for the manslaughter of Claire Parry at Salisbury Crown Court in October last year after being acquitted of murder.

The sentencing judge had jailed him for 10 years and six months. However, senior justicies have ruled this was unduly lenient following a hearing earlier this month. Brehmer's own attempt to have the prison sentence reduced was rejected.

Brehmer killed 41-year-old mother-of-two Mrs Parry at the Horns Inn pub car park in West Parley in May last year.

On May 9, the pair met in his car when another argument took place, ending with Claire Parry texting Brehmer’s wife from his phone, stating that he was having an affair.

During the argument that followed, Brehmer took hold of Claire Parry’s neck and compressed it with such force that she lost consciousness, causing neck injuries resulting in her death. 

In an attempt to cover up his crime, Brehmer used a pocketknife to wound himself and claimed that he had been stabbed by his victim. However, he was arrested at the scene.

He later retracted that statement and at his trial he sought to defend himself by claiming that he had tried to eject Claire Parry from his car, accidentally injuring her in the process.

A Court of Appeal hearing was held in London on March 10, before Lord Burnett, who is the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, Lord Justice Holroyde and Mrs Justice Lambert.

This was after the Attorney General's Office sought to have the sentence extended and Brehmer appealed to have it reduced.

After the judgement of the Court of Appeal justices, the newly appointed Attorney General, Michael Ellis QC MP, said: “Because of his actions, Claire Parry’s family have lost a wife and mother, and her community have lost a dedicated nurse.

"I greatly welcome the decision by the Court of Appeal today to increase Brehmer’s sentence.”