A computer programmer who killed his girlfriend and then almost got away with it after staging a cover-up has been jailed for five years . Edward Metcalfe claimed that the death of Tracey Topliss , 47 , had been a tragic accident after she fell down the stairs at their home in Hall Green , Birmingham . A post-mortem also ruled that her death had been an accident , but after a friend of the victim told police of domestic violence within the relationship , police re-investigated the case and charged Metcalfe with murder . Edward Metcalfe , right , who has been jailed for five years following the death of his partner Tracey Topliss , left . Her death had initially been ruled as an accident . Today following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court , he was acquitted of murder but convicted of the manslaughter of his partner of 13 years and jailed . The court heard how Miss Topliss , a National Grid worker , was killed on November 15 in 2013 at the couple 's home . Both she and Metcalfe , 36 , had been drinking after she received the news that her mother had been diagnosed with cancer . Hugh O'Brien Quinn , prosecuting , said that following an initial post-mortem , it had been concluded that Miss Topliss 's death had been accidental . The judge told Metcalfe , pictured , that his behaviour had been 'utterly selfish ' and that he showed a 'complete lack of remorse ' However , he added : 'That was until Mrs Sharon Wade contacted the police and told them of her concerns . 'She had been a good friend of Tracey Topliss . It was to her that Miss Topliss had complained about domestic violence from her partner . ' It was then that a second post-mortem was conducted and the court heard how the pathologist discovered an injury to the victim 's cheek , consistent with a heavy punch . Judge Paul Farrer QC said that Miss Topliss was a 'hard-working , successful and well-respected by her professional colleagues . ' Addressing Metcalfe , he added : 'There must have been some disagreement between you which caused you to lose your temper . 'You delivered a significant punch to the right side of her face . The blow caused her to fall backwards and strike her head against a table . 'You thought of nobody but yourself . Rather than trying to help her or call the emergency services , you left her lying on the floor of the hallway . 'You waited approximately for two-and-a-half hours before dialling 999 . 'Your behaviour was utterly selfish and betrayed a complete lack of remorse . You showed a callous disregard for your victim . ' However , David Crigman QC , defending said : 'What he has been found guilty of is one punch with disastrous consequences . 'It must have happened within seconds . There was no evidence of a protracted argument . But for her falling backwards and hitting her head , the deceased would not have suffered a serious injury . ' Metcalfe was acquitted of murder but convicted of manslaughter and jailed for five years at Birmingham Crown Court . Metcalfe was then jailed for five years and after the hearing , Detective Inspector Harry Harrison , of West Midlands Police , said : 'Edward Metcalfe initially deceived the authorities into believing that Miss Topliss died as a result of a tragic accident . 'He nearly got away with it . His crime was discovered as a result of community vigilance and courage . 'This goes to show that the police need the active cooperation from the community to eradicate the evil that is domestic abuse and bring offenders to justice . '
Tracey Topliss died after falling down the stairs at her home in Birmingham . Partner Edward Metcalfe claimed that the fall had been a tragic accident . An initial post-mortem also ruled that Miss Topliss 's death was accidental . But a friend told police the pair had been in an abusive relationship . The couple were arrested and charged with murder, but released on bail pending further inquiries into their background.