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| Samantha Eastwood: Midwife murderer jailed for 17 years | Samantha Eastwood: Midwife murderer jailed for 17 years |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The man who murdered midwife Samantha Eastwood went to his parents' house for dinner with her dead body in his van, a sentencing hearing was told. | The man who murdered midwife Samantha Eastwood went to his parents' house for dinner with her dead body in his van, a sentencing hearing was told. |
| Michael Stirling, 32, admitted killing Ms Eastwood, from Stoke-on-Trent, after three-year affair. | Michael Stirling, 32, admitted killing Ms Eastwood, from Stoke-on-Trent, after three-year affair. |
| He buried the 28-year-old in a shallow grave with tape around her head at Caverswall, Staffordshire, in August, eight days after she went missing. | He buried the 28-year-old in a shallow grave with tape around her head at Caverswall, Staffordshire, in August, eight days after she went missing. |
| Stirling was sentenced to a minimum of 17 years in jail for her murder. | Stirling was sentenced to a minimum of 17 years in jail for her murder. |
| Ms Eastwood was last seen leaving her work at Royal Stoke University Hospital on the morning of 27 July. | Ms Eastwood was last seen leaving her work at Royal Stoke University Hospital on the morning of 27 July. |
| She was "smothered and strangled to death" by Stirling at her home hours later. | She was "smothered and strangled to death" by Stirling at her home hours later. |
| Her body was discovered at a disused quarry on 4 August wrapped in a duvet with tape covering her eyes and mouth. | |
| After burying her body, married landscape gardener Stirling, who is the brother-in-law of Ms Eastwood's ex-fiancé John Peake, joined in the searches to find her. | After burying her body, married landscape gardener Stirling, who is the brother-in-law of Ms Eastwood's ex-fiancé John Peake, joined in the searches to find her. |
| He comforted her family and sent messages from her phone so people would think she was still alive. | He comforted her family and sent messages from her phone so people would think she was still alive. |
| In sentencing, Judge Mrs Justice Sue Carr said Stirling had "lied over and over again". | In sentencing, Judge Mrs Justice Sue Carr said Stirling had "lied over and over again". |
| Latest news and updates from the West Midlands | Latest news and updates from the West Midlands |
| In a victim impact statement read to the court, Ms Eastwood's sister, Gemma, said Stirling gave her a hug the day after her sibling went missing. | In a victim impact statement read to the court, Ms Eastwood's sister, Gemma, said Stirling gave her a hug the day after her sibling went missing. |
| He had gone to Ms Eastwood's home on the pretence of helping the family's search for her - in fact he had just buried her body in a shallow grave. | He had gone to Ms Eastwood's home on the pretence of helping the family's search for her - in fact he had just buried her body in a shallow grave. |
| Gemma Eastwood said that moment would "forever haunt her". | Gemma Eastwood said that moment would "forever haunt her". |
| Stirling's lawyer, Charles Miskin QC, said on the day of Ms Eastwood's death she had been in the bedroom with her killer. | Stirling's lawyer, Charles Miskin QC, said on the day of Ms Eastwood's death she had been in the bedroom with her killer. |
| According to the police, the lovers would meet regularly after she finished her nightshifts at the hospital. | According to the police, the lovers would meet regularly after she finished her nightshifts at the hospital. |
| There was an argument between the pair about the future of their relationship "he then lost all his self-control," Mr Miskin added. | There was an argument between the pair about the future of their relationship "he then lost all his self-control," Mr Miskin added. |
| Prosecutor Jonas Hankin QC told of how Mr Peake went to Ms Eastwood's home later on 27 July to find the house empty. | Prosecutor Jonas Hankin QC told of how Mr Peake went to Ms Eastwood's home later on 27 July to find the house empty. |
| He discovered her engagement ring, some birthday cards he had sent her and her wedding dress laid out on her bed, Mr Hankin said. | |
| Police described Stirling as "cold", "callous" and "remorseless" in murdering the woman he had conducted a "full-on and intimate" affair with over three years. | Police described Stirling as "cold", "callous" and "remorseless" in murdering the woman he had conducted a "full-on and intimate" affair with over three years. |
| Det Insp Dan Ison, who led the investigation, said that just hours after burying Miss Eastwood, Stirling went back to her home where concerned family had gathered to offer comfort. | Det Insp Dan Ison, who led the investigation, said that just hours after burying Miss Eastwood, Stirling went back to her home where concerned family had gathered to offer comfort. |
| The day after the killing, he used Samantha's mobile phone to send text messages to family members giving false hope she was still alive and had simply left home for some time alone. | The day after the killing, he used Samantha's mobile phone to send text messages to family members giving false hope she was still alive and had simply left home for some time alone. |
| The killer returned to the burial site by bicycle days later while he was under surveillance, and when confronted by officers he said he was on his way to see a friend. | The killer returned to the burial site by bicycle days later while he was under surveillance, and when confronted by officers he said he was on his way to see a friend. |