Husband 'paid neighbour £1,500 to set up assassination of his ex-wife'

A vengeful husband paid a neighbour £1,500 to organise the assassination of his ex-wife after she divorced him, a court heard.

Paul Lewis, 54, allegedly plotted to hire the hitman to execute his estranged wife of 10 years, Joanne Atkinson-Lewis, over divorce proceedings two years earlier.

Former steelworker Lewis is accused of handing neighbour Dominique Saunders, 35, the £1,500 cash 'in good faith' to arrange the assassination.

A court heard Saunders told Lewis there were photos and GoPro footage of the murder - and Lewis repeatedly asked to see it.

But Lewis was stunned when weeks later he saw Joanne 'still breathing' at a nearby beach.