A man has been sentence to a minimum of 27 years in prison for the murder of his ex-partner.
Obert Moyo (46) of Pennington Road, Bolton, killed 35-year-old Perseverance ‘Percy’ Ncube.
Moyo (pictured) was due to go on trial at Manchester Crown Court but changed his plea to guilty on the first day of the case.
On Friday, November 10, 2023, Moyo had broken into Percy’s home while she and her children slept, and attacked Percy in her bedroom. The children dragged Moyo off their mum.
At 2:39 am, Percy fled to the streets to escape, and called 999 to report a man she knew was chasing her along Dukesgate Grove.
Disturbance
While on the line with the call handler, there were sounds of a disturbance and she collapsed in the street.
Within 11 minutes, officers arrived at the scene and immediately began CPR as Percy was found unresponsive. She was taken to hospital, where she died.
A Home Office post-mortem confirmed the cause of death was a stab wound to her chest.
Moyo and Percy had been in a relationship which ended shortly before he murdered her.
CCTV captured the vicious attack witnessed by Percy’s children.
Moyo was arrested in Bolton.
Stalked
Detective chief inspector Gina Brennand said: “In the months leading up to Percy’s death, she was stalked by Obert Moyo. He spent hours outside her home, often in the early hours of the morning.
“Police were unaware Percy was being stalked, and she may have not known herself, but we know this to be true from examining CCTV and his immigration electronic monitoring tag. He was, in fact, an illegal immigrant, denied asylum and on prison licence following release from a 14-year sentence for a serious assault on a previous partner.
“Moyo is a dangerous and violent man and would not accept his relationship with Percy was over.
“Moyo chased after Percy into the street and showed no mercy as he stabbed her in front of her children.
“Until yesterday he denied murdering Percy and showed callous disregard to her family, whom he knew.
“Percy’s children have been unbelievably brave and are supported by a close and loving family. Percy was full of life, frequently described as lighting up a room and a treasured member of her church community.
“Stalking is an offence we treat extremely seriously, and it can often be a precursor to some of the most horrendous crimes, as in this case. We encourage anyone who believes they are being stalked to come forward so we can take proactive and robust action against suspects.”
