A man who murdered 29-year-old Olivia Wood on the night she planned to leave him has been found guilty following a five-week trial at Bristol Crown Court.

Kieron Goodwin, 33, of Frome, was convicted of killing Olivia as well as 15 other serious offences committed over five years against her and three other women.

Jurors heard how Olivia had only been in a relationship with Goodwin for a matter of months when she was strangled at his flat in Portway in the early hours of 30 July last year.

Goodwin had denied murder but admitted controlling and coercive behaviour. The jury convicted him on Thursday, 24 April.

During the trial, the court heard how Olivia had suffered repeated emotional and physical abuse. Goodwin would threaten to harm himself if she didn't comply with his demands, including trying to pressure her into having sex with another man – which she refused.

He also took more than £6,000 from her under the pretence of needing help with bills, then spent the money on cocaine.

Olivia Wood (A&S Police)

At 2.50am on the night of her death, Goodwin called 999 reporting that Olivia was not breathing. Paramedics arrived and raised concerns about her injuries. She was rushed to hospital but died shortly afterwards with her family at her side.

Police found a packed suitcase and bags containing Olivia's belongings in Goodwin's flat, which the court was told indicated she was preparing to leave.

Two days later, detectives from the Major Crime Investigation Team charged Goodwin with her murder, along with controlling and coercive behaviour. He denied the killing – but the jury found him guilty.

In a statement, Olivia's family said:

"The pain our family is feeling is indescribable. Olivia was the glue that held us together, a loyal friend, a devoted sister, a cherished daughter. She was a rarity; profoundly selfless, disarmingly witty, a timeless beauty. Always there to make a cup of tea when someone looked in need, to listen, to help. Now she has been taken from us and we are left with a chasm in our lives, a love that can never be replaced."

Goodwin was also convicted of offences against three other women. These included:

• Four counts of rape
• Five counts of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent
• One count of sexual assault by penetration
• One count of intentional strangulation
• Three counts of controlling and coercive behaviour

Jurors heard he used threats, emotional manipulation and drugs to control the women, often threatening to send explicit images to their family or workplace, or to report them to police.

He also coerced them into handing over tens of thousands of pounds, again spent on drugs. In each case, he threatened to harm himself if they tried to cut contact.

Goodwin admitted controlling and coercive behaviour in all three cases but denied the sexual offences, claiming the women had consented. The jury found him guilty on all counts.

Det Supt Lorett Spierenburg, who led the investigation, said: "Kieron Goodwin is an incredibly dangerous and manipulative man who will now face justice for the horrendous crimes he subjected these women to.

His offending has had a significant impact on each of them and ultimately – and tragically – had fatal consequences for Olivia.

Each of those women who have spoken so bravely about what they suffered at his hands deserves enormous praise.

I also want to pay tribute to Olivia's family and friends who have acted with such dignity, despite Goodwin's cowardice in refusing to admit his crimes and provide them with the answers they deserve about what happened that night."

Goodwin will be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court in due course.

If you've been affected by sexual abuse or assault

Support is available 24/7 via The Bridge, a specialist Sexual Assault Referral Centre. You can call 0117 342 6999 or visit www.thebridgecanhelp.org.uk.

More resources and information about support services can be found at www.thisisnotanexcuse.org.