A Bournemouth man was jailed for life on, 27 February 2015, for the murder of Poole nurse Rui Li.
Bigamist Pierre Legris, 61, was convicted of killing his 44-year-old wife following a trial at Winchester Crown Court that lasted almost seven weeks.
He was told he would have to spend at least 25 years in prison before being considered eligible for parole. Pierre was also handed a three-year sentence to run concurrently after pleading guilty to bigamy and perverting the course of justice.
Pierre’s other wife, 66-year-old Irene Smith, was convicted of perverting the course of justice and assisting an offender and was sentenced to three years in prison for both offences. She was acquitted of conspiracy to murder.
Pierre’s and Irene’s son Jonathan Legris, 27, was found guilty of assisting an offender, but acquitted of conspiracy to murder. He was sentenced to two years in prison.
Ms Li was last seen alive at 6.13pm on Friday 23 May 2014 when CCTV cameras captured her leaving work at Poole Hospital in her Porsche Boxster car.
The court heard Pierre killed Ms Li at their home in Burnham Road, Bournemouth, on Friday 23 May 2014 before wrapping her body in a plastic sheet and storing it in the back of a Transit van.
He left Ms Li’s body in the van during the May bank holiday weekend while he ate Sunday lunch with his family and went to a dance show in Watford arm-in-arm with Smith. The family’s movements were captured on CCTV.
On Tuesday 27 May 2014, Pierre went to Bournemouth police station to report Ms Li missing.
That same day Pierre moved Ms Li’s body into the boot of a Fiat Punto owned by Jonathan Legris.
Jonathan Legris, following his father’s instructions, then drove the Punto containing his stepmother’s body to Verwood Crescent in Bournemouth.
Ms Li’s body was discovered in the boot of the car on 30 May 2014. A post mortem examination revealed Ms Li had died of a significant head injury.
Following the discovery, Pierre significantly changed his story to the police claiming he had found her body at their house and, in a panic, had placed her in the van.
The court heard Pierre and Ms Li offered massage services on Gumtree and clients were sometimes offered sexual services at their second home in Wolverton Road in Bournemouth. Pierre took responsibility for arranging the appointments.
Pierre suggested that one of these customers killed Ms Li.
Senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Marcus Hester, of Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “This was a detailed and complex investigation which involved officers from across the Force.
“Pierre Legris killed Rui Li out of greed, placed her body in the boot of a van before driving to Watford to enjoy a weekend with his first wife Irene Smith.
“He lied repeatedly to the police and went to great efforts to hide her body.
“I would like to praise the detectives working on this investigation, led by case officer Dave Richards, who worked tirelessly to ensure Pierre, Jonathan and Irene Smith were convicted of these crimes.
“It was a difficult case and we worked very closely with the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure appropriate charges were brought.
“I hope the sentences handed out today will bring some closure to Rui Li’s daughter and her family in China.”
Rui Li’s daughter Lu Yao, said: “My mum was a wonderful person, a great teacher and the perfect mother to me.
“I have and will always love and respect her unconditionally. She will always be in my heart and she is missed every day.
“She worked hard all her life to provide for me, ensuring that I had the best possible upbringing. I just wish that I had the opportunity to repay her love as well as let her know how much I appreciate everything she has done for me.
“I hope that she can rest in peace now those who are responsible will pay the consequences.
“I want to thank the police and the prosecution team for all their hard work.
“I would also like to extend my thanks to everyone who showed sympathy and gave their condolences and support during this difficult time.”
