POLICE killer Peter Foster was a "volatile" man who destroyed a young family, investigating officer has said.

Detective Chief Inspector Nick May, of Surrey Police, spoke out after former Detective Constable Foster admitted killing his partner and colleague Heather Cooper, from Acomb in York.

Foster killed Miss Cooper in October last year and hid the body in a shallow woodland grave. He pleaded guilty today to murder, having previoulsy denied the charge. He has been jailed for life. Miss Cooper was on maternity leave following the birth of her second child when she was killed.

Speaking after the sentencing, DCI May said: "Foster was a volatile man whose actions that day have destroyed this young family.

"His attempt to cover up his crime by hiding her body and trying to dispose of evidence shows he was thinking only of himself.

"This has been a sad and difficult time for Heather's family. Our thoughts remain very much with them and, in particular, her two children."

Surrey Police said Foster had quit the force in 2009 while he was suspended and facing disciplinary action over an off-duty incident in Hampshire. The force also said Miss Cooper had talked about leaving Foster before her death, but stayed with him after they discussed him taking anger management courses.