A jury of seven men and four women unanimously found David Hill, 48, of Lakeside Meadows, Pontefract, guilty of murder in six hours and 20 minutes at the end of a five-week trial at Leeds Crown Court.

Hill - who is married to Mrs Wright's youngest daughter Maxine - repeatedly battered the 73-year-old over the head with a heavy, curved weapon after losing his temper during a brutal attack at her home in Redhill Gardens on September 27 2006.

The prosecution claimed he was £20,000 in debt and had been altering bank statements to hide that he was taking money from a bank account he shared with the widow for their business at Castleford indoor market.

Hill's family gasped and cried as the foreman of the jury delivered the verdict.

Giving evidence last week, Hill's wife of 20 years Maxine said she did not believe her husband would ever hurt her mother.

One male juror was discharged early in the trial.

Hill will be sentenced by Mr Justice Simon at 11am tomorrow (May 13).

Keep checking www.pontefractandcastlefordexpress.co.uk for daily updates from court.

See this week's Express for a full report.