Heartbroken family of young mum, 32, murdered by savage lover, 27, issue chilling plea to other domestic abuse victims

THE devastated family of a young mum brutally murdered by her evil ex-lover today begged other domestic abuse victims – go straight to the police.

Kerri McAuley’s shattered loved ones made the heartbreaking plea after the popular mother-of-two was butchered by Joe Storey, 27, in a killing which shocked her home town.

Savage Storey was set to be caged for life on Friday after he was found guilty of murdering Kerri in a “sustained and brutal” attack in her own home.

However, sentencing has been delayed after he told Bedford Prison staff he did not need to be in court for the hearing.

Prosecutor Simon Spence said the situation was “unprecedented”.

Kerri suffered a staggering 19 injuries to her face, including fractured eye sockets, cheekbone and jaw in the barbaric onslaught.

Deranged Storey, who was hooked on drink and drugs, killed her after their trouble-torn 18-month on-off relationship had been defined by a vicious “history of violence”.

The violent remorseless monster even had the word Ruthless tattooed across his knuckles.

Kerri’s distraught family have given the media permission to use stomach-churning pictures of the horrifying violence in one of many assaults meted out by the beast who wouldn’t let her go.

They have acted in a brave bid to highlight the terrifying problem of domestic abuse stalking thousands of homes throughout the UK.

Battered Kerri, of Norwich, poignantly posted the photos on Facebook shortly before her death on Sunday January 8.

Together with images of a bruised, black and blue face, Ms McAuley wrote a message which said Storey – who claimed to love her – “had beat and suffocated me until I almost passed out has left me with a broken cheek bone and a broken heart”.

Kerri’s uncle Steven Roberts has now spoken out on behalf of her family, including her mother Lesley and brother Rory.

Mr Roberts, 50, of Norwich, today told the Eastern Daily Press: “There are so many more Joe Storeys out there.

“We’d certainly urge anyone in a violent relationship to seek help and go to the police or friends and family.”

He also called on victims to get support from domestic abuse organisations like Leeway, which Kerri’s mum Lesley wants to work with in future.

“It’s just about getting the message out there for us,” insisted Mr Roberts.

Talking about Kerri and Storey, Mr Roberts said: “They were chalk and cheese.

“In contrast to her murderer Kerri was compassionate, bubbly, had a heart of gold, was full of fun, full of love and full of life. She had a lot to live for.

“First and foremost, she was a wonderfully caring mother to her two boys. They remember her in two simple words – awesome and everything.”

He added: “Kerri was also a wonderful daughter, sister, auntie, niece and friend. She was very hard working. Kerri was everything.

“He, on the other hand, was self-centred cold-hearted, threatening, aggressive, violent, drug and alcohol dependent – a thug but most of all ruthless.

“We know that because he had it tattooed across his knuckles…knuckles which he punched Kerri to death with.

“Kerri tried to get away after each beating, of which there were many. But unfortunately he was there to harass and stalk her with thousands of calls and text messages.”

Kerri’s broken body was found at her home in Norwich on January 8.

She had suffered 19 injuries to her face in the terrifying attack, the city’s crown court heard.

Sick control freak Storey, also of Norwich, denied murder but admitted manslaughter.

But the sadistic killer now faces life behind bars after a jury of seven men and five women took less than an hour to convict him of murder.

There were audible gasps and a collective “yes” from family and friends of Ms McAuley as the verdict was announced.

But cold-blooded Storey, who wore a white T-shirt, showed no emotion.

Judge Stephen Holt told him: “The only sentence I can pass is life imprisonment set by statute.

“It’s just a question of how long you will spend in prison before the parole board can look at your case.”

Judge Holt saluted Kerri’s family and friends for their “great courage” and “great dignity”.

Kerri’s devastated mother Lesley said in a statement: “My life will never now be whole without Kerri to complete it, as a family we are for ever broken.

“My heart bears the deepest break from which it will never heal.

“She had so much to live for, so much unfulfilled promise.

“I will forever remember Kerri for the woman that she was but I will always wonder about the woman she was to become.

“Any sentence that is passed will never be enough, the years simply don’t matter.

“It will never make up for what he has so brutally and cruelly taken from us.”