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| Becky Parker killing: Matthew Smith jailed for 'merciless' cable-tie murder | Becky Parker killing: Matthew Smith jailed for 'merciless' cable-tie murder |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| The ex-boyfriend of a pregnant mother of two who killed her with cable ties has been jailed for 18 years for her murder. | |
| Isobel Parker, 23, who was known as Becky, was strangled at her flat in Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, in July 2015. | Isobel Parker, 23, who was known as Becky, was strangled at her flat in Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, in July 2015. |
| Factory worker Matthew Smith, of Wood Corner Caravan Park, Maldon, was convicted by a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday. | Factory worker Matthew Smith, of Wood Corner Caravan Park, Maldon, was convicted by a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday. |
| Judge Charles Gratwicke said it was "a brutal and merciless killing". | |
| During his trial, the court heard Ms Parker had ended her relationship with Smith in December 2014. | During his trial, the court heard Ms Parker had ended her relationship with Smith in December 2014. |
| Live: More updates on the murder of Isobel Parker | Live: More updates on the murder of Isobel Parker |
| "Smith could not accept that his relationship with Isobel was over after she had moved on to the extent that she was six months pregnant by a new partner," said Det Ch Insp Martin Pasmore, who led the investigation. | "Smith could not accept that his relationship with Isobel was over after she had moved on to the extent that she was six months pregnant by a new partner," said Det Ch Insp Martin Pasmore, who led the investigation. |
| "When Smith finally realised there was no chance of reconciliation, he strangled her with plastic cable ties, killing her and her unborn baby daughter." | "When Smith finally realised there was no chance of reconciliation, he strangled her with plastic cable ties, killing her and her unborn baby daughter." |
| Judge Gratwicke said: "This was a brutal and merciless killing but she put up a spirited defence as you obviously set about taking her life. | Judge Gratwicke said: "This was a brutal and merciless killing but she put up a spirited defence as you obviously set about taking her life. |
| "She must have been absolutely terrified as you placed those ties around her neck." | "She must have been absolutely terrified as you placed those ties around her neck." |
| Ms Parker's body was found in the bath at her flat in Booth Place on 17 July 2015. | Ms Parker's body was found in the bath at her flat in Booth Place on 17 July 2015. |
| The court was told she was buried with her baby - a daughter she was planning to call Charmaine - in her arms. | The court was told she was buried with her baby - a daughter she was planning to call Charmaine - in her arms. |
| During the sentencing hearing, a statement was read out from Ms Parker's partner at the time of her murder by Smith. | During the sentencing hearing, a statement was read out from Ms Parker's partner at the time of her murder by Smith. |
| Shane Anderson, the father of her unborn baby, said: "My whole world stopped. I've been to her grave every day." | Shane Anderson, the father of her unborn baby, said: "My whole world stopped. I've been to her grave every day." |
| Smith could not be charged with child destruction because legally Ms Parker was not sufficiently close to giving birth at six months pregnant. | Smith could not be charged with child destruction because legally Ms Parker was not sufficiently close to giving birth at six months pregnant. |
| Her friend and former colleague, Maria Fowkes, told the BBC she believed the government should reconsider laws around child destruction in such circumstances. | Her friend and former colleague, Maria Fowkes, told the BBC she believed the government should reconsider laws around child destruction in such circumstances. |
| "My only disagreement is that he wasn't tried for double murder. | "My only disagreement is that he wasn't tried for double murder. |
| "The government seriously needs to take a look at the law," she said. | "The government seriously needs to take a look at the law," she said. |