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Life term for man who killed girl Life term for man who killed girl
(30 minutes later)
A man has been jailed for life for the murder of his partner's 13-year-old daughter who was found strangled at their home in Hull. A man has been jailed for life for murdering his partner's 13-year-old daughter after he had sex with her and she threatened to tell her mother.
Steven Joseph Pollard, 32, of Moorfoot Close on the city's Bransholme Estate, appeared at Hull Crown Court in June and admitted killing Sophie Comins. Steven Joseph Pollard, 32, of Moorfoot Close on the Bransholme Estate in Hull, admitted killing Sophie Comins when he appeared at Hull Crown Court in June.
Sentencing Pollard on Wednesday, Judge Tom Cracknell said he must serve a minimum term of 16 and a half years. Post-mortem tests showed the girl had died from "manual strangulation".
The girl's body was found by her mother Mandy Comins in a bedroom on 18 March. Judge Tom Cracknell said it had been a "cruel attack" and said he should serve at least 16-and-a-half years.
A post-mortem examination showed she had died from "manual strangulation" and had been sexually assaulted. The court heard that, while on remand, Pollard had confessed to an inmate in Hull Prison that he and Sophie had argued about him wanting further sexual activity.
"She refused and threatened to tell her mum," said prosecutor Anton Lodge.
He is a violent and dangerous man who should spend a long time in prison Det Supt Ray Higgins
Pollard strangled her, tried to make it look like suicide and then took a massive overdose and slashed his wrists with a knife on 18 March this year, the court was told.
Later that day, his common-law wife Mandy Comins came home from a shift at the Wilkinsons store to find her daughter dead.
Jailing Pollard on Wednesday, Judge Cracknell said: "By your own admission you murdered Sophie.
"She was only 13. She was the daughter of the woman you lived with. You were in effect her stepfather and in a position of trust.
"Not only have you deprived her of life you have disfigured the lives of the people who loved her.
Pollard was guilty of a 'complete breach of trust'Pollard was guilty of a 'complete breach of trust'
Det Supt Ray Higgins, who led the murder investigation, said: "Today's sentence reflects the complete breach of the trust, compassion and faith that both Mandy and Sophie Comins had given to Pollard throughout the time they had shared with him. "At some time prior to this killing you quite clearly had sexual relations with Sophie.
"The verdict is welcomed by Mandy Comins and her family but no sentence will ever reflect the loss that has been suffered or compensate for the trust that Pollard breached by his unwarranted actions towards such a young person. "There was no way of knowing if she was resisting or consenting, even if she was this is no excuse because of your age and your relationship."
"This was a violent and unprovoked attack on a young girl. Det Supt Ray Higgins, who led the murder investigation, said: "This was all about the perverted sexual desires of Pollard against a 13-year-old girl.
"Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and hope the judgement today helps them cope with their loss." "He is a violent and dangerous man who should spend a long time in prison.
"Today's sentence reflects the complete breach of the trust, compassion and faith that both Mandy and Sophie Comins had given to Pollard throughout the time they had shared with him.
"The verdict is welcomed by Mandy Comins and her family but no sentence will ever reflect the loss that has been suffered or compensate for the trust that Pollard breached by his unwarranted actions towards such a young person."