Belen Tripp murder: Community left in shock after Telford wife killed by her husband

But as he prepares to face his justice, for the people in Ketley Bank, life may never be quite the same.

Belen, 52 was pronounced dead at the semi-detached house in Sixth Avenue in Ketley Bank, Telford on November 15.

Police had been called to the house at 11.20pm and neighbours described seeing around eight police cars, riot vans and ambulances on the residential street.

Tripp was also taken to hospital for injuries, before being arrested for his wife's murder.

The 70-year-old pleaded guilty to her murder during a short appearance at Stafford Crown Court yesterday.

A family tribute to Belen released at the time of her death said: "Belen, a loving sister, sister-in-law and auntie, was a source of great joy and laughter. Her laugh is something we will never forget, her family were so important to her and she treasured the time she spent with them.

"We are all absolutely devastated and she will forever leave footprints in all of our hearts. The Filipino community in Telford will never ever forget her, we know they cherished all the good times and camaraderie

"Goodbye our big sis and auntie, rest in peace now, we love you."

Mrs Tripp is thought to have lived in Telford for many years and was originally from Cebu in the Philippines.

She was an employee at Midlands-based firm CareTech.

Charlotte Smith, north managing director at the company, said: "We are all deeply saddened by the death of one of our colleagues."

Neighbours spoke of their sadness at hearing about the death, and said the murder was all the more shocking because the estate has always been considered a very safe place to live.

Neighbour, Jessica Fitzimmonds said: "Its really sad. She had family in the Philippines but has always lived here as long as I can remember. She was such a lovely woman.

"We heard police banging on their door in the middle of the night, so God knows what went on. Next thing I know, there are cops and paramedics everywhere.

He seemed quite a bit older than her but they seemed like a nice couple.

"You would never expect this sort of thing. Everyone is just really shocked and saddened. We can't quite believe it."

One neighbour, who lives opposite the house, has lived there for 30 years. She said she witnessed the police arrive on Tuesday night, adding: "I was up looking through my window.

"The police were shouting through the letterbox. I can't believe something like this has happened.

"The police were in there for ages, nothing was going on and I saw lots of lights and police cars. There were about eight police cars and two riot vans and two ambulances.

"It was the police that woke me up shouting through the letterbox. We went to bed about 2.30am and when we woke up the police were still there, there was tape all over the front garden."

Stephen Reynolds, Telford & Wrekin ward member for Oakengates and Ketley Bank, said the crime had been shocking. and was saddened that a woman had lost her life.

He said: "Ketley Bank is generally quite a quiet, safe area.

"It was shocking at the time, but it would have been shocking wherever it had happened."