Man, 53, due in court accused of murdering lecturer on Plymouth street

A 53-year-old man is due to appear in court charged with the murder of a woman found fatally injured on a street in Plymouth.

Paul Butler is accused of attacking nurse and university lecturer Claire Chick, 48, on West Hoe Road, Plymouth, on Wednesday.

Officers from Devon and Cornwall Police were called to reports of a seriously injured woman at 8.55pm.

Ms Chick was taken to hospital but died in the early hours of the next morning.

Butler, of Stangray Avenue, Plymouth, is due to appear at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Ms Chick, who was previously known as Claire Butler, worked as a lecturer at the University of Plymouth.

In a tribute released by police, Ms Chick’s family said they were “devastated and broken”.

They said: “She was the most beautiful lively soul and was there for everyone.

“Everyone who knew our mum had so much positive words to say about her. She was the life and soul of any place where she was.

“She loved to dance and sing, even though she was pretty bad at it; she had no shame in doing it in front of any audience.

“We will never get over this as a family, she was our glue and our go-to.

“We won’t ever get the justice our mum deserves for this, because no amount of justice will bring her back.”

Vice-chancellor Professor Richard Davies said the university was “shocked and saddened” by Ms Chick’s death.

He said: “Having spoken with Claire’s colleagues, I know that her contribution to Plymouth was significant and deeply felt – she was a respected nurse, lecturer and personal tutor, ensuring students were supported academically and pastorally.

“As associate head of school for international in our school of nursing and midwifery, she was closely involved in developing nursing programmes, students and academics in Europe, Africa and Asia.

“As a colleague, Claire’s humour and warmth will be dearly missed by academic and support staff.”