The man convicted of murdering Kate Prout has confessed to killing her and has agreed to show detectives where she is buried.

Det Supt Simon Atkinson, of Gloucestershire Constabulary, said: “Yesterday morning we received some new and significant information in relation to the murder of Kate Prout. 

“Yesterday afternoon two detectives paid a visit to the prison where Adrian Prout is being held.

“Adrian Prout has admitted to those detectives that he murdered Kate Prout – something which he had always denied – and has now suggested that he disposed of her body on Redhill Farm, in Redmarley.

“He has agreed to visit the farm to point out the exact location.

Prout arrived at Redhill Farm in a green Mercedes Viano carrier at 11.36am and was led out of the vehicle handcuffed to a plain-clothed police officer.

The murderer - wearing a black polo, dark blue jeans, and black trainers - was then transferred into a police vehicle at the entrance to his luxury former home.

The car trundled up a dirt track beside the farmhouse - before heading straight across a ploughed field towards the woods.

The same distinctive police car then emerged from the dark wood at 12.01pm - 25 minutes later.

It made its way back across the field - with Prout in the back - before he again was bundled into the Mercedes Viano.

Prout was then driven out the front gates and away from the property in the back of the car at 12.10pm.

Redhill Farm, was sold in October this year after going on the market for #1.6 million - with Prout's girlfriend Debbie Garlick and their daughter Evie, 21 months, moving out just two weeks ago.

Kate Prout's brother, Richard Wakefield, said his family could not move on until she was laid to rest.

“I would like Adrian Prout to come forward and tell us where Kate is, what happened to her,” he said in November last year.

“I would like to know where she is, bring her back and give her a proper burial, to put her at rest. It’s very important – it’s more important than anything.”

“A detailed search of that location will be conducted next week, however this will be a painstaking process so is likely to take some time. The scene will be guarded throughout the weekend.

“We are keeping Mrs Prout’s family updated and fully informed of developments.

“The investigation into Kate Prout’s death was challenging and complex, and ultimately led to Adrian Prout’s conviction. This latest piece of information does not change that.

“Our main priority now is to recover Mrs Prout’s body and enable her family to have some closure after the long ordeal they have been through.“

Prout, who has maintained his innocence since wife Kate vanished in 2007, was convicted for her murder in 2010.

Today around a dozen police vehicles arrived at Redhill farm and officers sealed off the wood to prepare for the search for the body of Kate Prout.

Detectives investigating the case have been told Prout admitted murdering Kate to his fiancee Debbie Garlick after he failed a lie detector test.

Debbie, who had pressed for him to be allowed to take the test and championed his case since he was jailed for life in January 2010, is understood to have subsequently spoken to Gloucestershire Constabulary.

Officers are considering a claim he strangled her after a row in a shooting lodge, and then buried her on their 276 acre farm.

Kate Prout was last seen on November 5, 2007. He husband contacted police five days later and officers mounted a massive search of Redhill Farm and the surrounding area.

But they drew a blank and no significant forensic evidence was ever found.

She vanished without taking clothes, valuables, money, or a car and her husband was convicted on a mass of circumstantial evidence, centred on her diary which detailed a violent marriage in meltdown.

Bristol Crown Court heard in January 2010 that amid a bitter divorce, Mrs Prout (nee Wakefield) upped her demand for half the farm’s then-valuation of £1.2million from £600,000 to £800,000 the day before she disappeared.

After a jury convicted Prout of murder by a majority of 10 to one Mr Justice Nigel Davis sentenced Prout to life in prison, with a minimum of 18 years – three years longer than he could otherwise have expected because he refused to say where the body was.

Mr Justice Davis agreed with the prosecution’s case that a “sudden row” blew up on November 5, a day after she withdrew £14,000 from a joint account to fund her divorce. “It seems it rankled with you that Kate would not accept the offer you made of £600,000 to settle the divorce,” he said in sentencing.

“In your own mind, that was a fair offer – an offer that meant you could hang on to the farm, as you so wanted to do. But she would not accept it. She had advice and was entitled to take that. On November 4, she thought she would hold out for £800,000. You knew she had taken out £14,000 to fund legal costs. You knew she would not back off. There must have been a violent row that night.”

Shortly before the trial Prout became a father for the second time, with his fiance. Mrs Garlick moved to Kempley in recent weeks after the farm was put on the market for £1.6million and sold for an

undisclosed sum.

Richard Wakefield, Kate Prout’s brother, on behalf of her family, said: “Gloucestershire Police have informed us of the latest developments in the investigation into Kate’s death, and they are keeping us fully updated. We have always wanted Adrian to tell us where Kate’s body is, however this news has obviously come as something as a shock to us. We would like to be given some time to come to terms with this news and do not wish to speak to the media at this time. Thank you for your understanding.”

Tonight Debbie Garlick told ITV’s Ken Goodwin that Prout confessed when she visited him in prison two days ago saying “I am sorry. I did.”

Ms Garlick told Prout she would have to tell police and she did. She said she was “devastated” by the news but her heart went out to Kate’s family.

She said: “Myself and my family are obviously devastated with the news that we have received. Our heart goes out to Kate and her family and hope this gives them the chance to grieve properly for their sister and have a proper burial and somewhere they can lay flowers.”

TIMELINE:

1998 – Kate Wakefield and Adrian Prout start dating.

2000 – She becomes Mrs Prout when the couple marry at St Mary’s Church, Frampton-on-Seven.

2004 – The couple purchase the five-bedroomed house and 276 acre estate at Redhill Farm for £820,000.

2006 – Their relationship sours and Kate begins staying with friends after blazing rows.

February 1, 2007 – Police are called to their home after Kate alleges that Adrian assaulted her and tried to kill her by throwing her in a swimming pool. No charges made.

November 4, 2007 – Kate asks for an extra £200,000 in their divorce settlement. She demands £600,000 in total from her husband.

November 5, 2007 – Kate makes a call to her bank at 3.29pm. Prout alleges that she vanished at midday leaving her possessions, wearing a v-neck and jeans.

November 10, 2007 – Prout calls Gloucestershire police to report his wife missing.

November 27, 2007 – Prout is arrested on suspicion of Kate’s murder.

March 30, 2008 – Police formally charge Prout with Kate’s murder.

June 2008 – Prout proposes to girlfriend Debbie Garlick after meeting her at his daughter Laura’s 18th birthday party in 2007. She accepts.

July 2008 – Prout denies murdering his wife at a plea and case management court hearing.

January 1, 2010 – Prout’s trial begins at Bristol Crown Court.

February 2, 2010 – Prout found guilty after 14 hours of jury deliberation by a 10-1 verdict.

February 8, 2010 – Prout sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum serve of 18 years at Bristol Crown Court.

February 19, 2010 – Debbie Garlick offers a £10,000 reward for information that will prove her fiance’s innocence.

November 17, 2011 – Prout confesses to Kate’s killing to two detectives during a prison visit.

November 18, 2011 – Prout visits his former home with officers and points out the spot where her body was buried.