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Claire Colebourn: Mum who murdered daughter Bethan jailed | Claire Colebourn: Mum who murdered daughter Bethan jailed |
(32 minutes later) | |
A mother who murdered her three-year-old daughter following the break-up of her marriage has been jailed for life. | A mother who murdered her three-year-old daughter following the break-up of her marriage has been jailed for life. |
Claire Colebourn, 36, drowned Bethan in a bath at their family home in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, in 2017. | Claire Colebourn, 36, drowned Bethan in a bath at their family home in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, in 2017. |
Colebourn tried to take her own life after killing her daughter but was revived by paramedics. She was found guilty of murder on Friday. | Colebourn tried to take her own life after killing her daughter but was revived by paramedics. She was found guilty of murder on Friday. |
She showed no emotion as the judge at Winchester Crown Court told her she must serve at least 18 years. | She showed no emotion as the judge at Winchester Crown Court told her she must serve at least 18 years. |
Mrs Justice Johannah Cutts said Bethan was "a beautiful little girl who was full of life. She had everything to live for". | Mrs Justice Johannah Cutts said Bethan was "a beautiful little girl who was full of life. She had everything to live for". |
The judge said Colebourn should have asked for help after her life became an "emotional rollercoaster" when her marriage broke down and her husband left the family home. | The judge said Colebourn should have asked for help after her life became an "emotional rollercoaster" when her marriage broke down and her husband left the family home. |
Despite being in a "highly emotional state" there was "no evidence of mental illness" and there was "no excuse" for the killing, the judge said. | Despite being in a "highly emotional state" there was "no evidence of mental illness" and there was "no excuse" for the killing, the judge said. |
"You were her mother, you were responsible for her care and her wellbeing. | "You were her mother, you were responsible for her care and her wellbeing. |
"You wanted to deny your husband the chance to bring up Bethan. Bethan was entitled to and deserved a life," the judge added. | "You wanted to deny your husband the chance to bring up Bethan. Bethan was entitled to and deserved a life," the judge added. |
In a statement released through the police, Michael Colebourn said: "There are no words to describe the past 18 months. The one thing in my life that gave me purpose has gone. | |
"My beautiful daughter has been taken from me in such a cold and callous manner at the very hands of the one other person that should have protected her and kept her safe. | |
"Throughout the criminal trial, I, and all those that loved Bethan have had to endure the heartbreak of listening to her last moments. | |
"I have also had to suffer endless unfounded allegations and lies made against me with no opportunity to respond. | |
"I desperately miss being a daddy - we would have such great times together; Bethan's laugh was infectious and her energy was endless. There is not a second in the day that goes by that I am not thinking about her." | |
Former biology teacher Colebourn was found guilty of murder by unanimous verdict on Friday after the 11-strong jury deliberated for two hours. She did not react as the verdict was delivered. | Former biology teacher Colebourn was found guilty of murder by unanimous verdict on Friday after the 11-strong jury deliberated for two hours. She did not react as the verdict was delivered. |
Bethan was found lying in bed at her home in Whitsbury Road by her grandmother on 19 October 2017. Paramedics were unable to revive her. | Bethan was found lying in bed at her home in Whitsbury Road by her grandmother on 19 October 2017. Paramedics were unable to revive her. |
Prosecutors said Colebourn had an "unfounded" belief that her husband Michael, a company chief executive, was having an affair. | Prosecutors said Colebourn had an "unfounded" belief that her husband Michael, a company chief executive, was having an affair. |
In a Facebook post Colebourn wrote: "Michael walked out on his family on 7 September and we haven't seen him since. | In a Facebook post Colebourn wrote: "Michael walked out on his family on 7 September and we haven't seen him since. |
"He has been having an affair with his financial director at work. Everything has been pre-planned. | "He has been having an affair with his financial director at work. Everything has been pre-planned. |
"They are aiming to conquer the business and set up a new life together." | "They are aiming to conquer the business and set up a new life together." |
Colebourn set an alarm for 03:00 and then took Bethan to the bathroom where she ran a bath and drowned her. | Colebourn set an alarm for 03:00 and then took Bethan to the bathroom where she ran a bath and drowned her. |
She had told police: "She woke up... she put her hands on my cheeks, told me she loved me and said 'I don't want a bath, mummy, I don't want a bath'." | She had told police: "She woke up... she put her hands on my cheeks, told me she loved me and said 'I don't want a bath, mummy, I don't want a bath'." |
'Personality disorder' | 'Personality disorder' |
She then attempted to take own life by repeatedly injecting herself with insulin. | She then attempted to take own life by repeatedly injecting herself with insulin. |
During the trial, it was heard Colebourn had searched for websites about suicide and drowning. | During the trial, it was heard Colebourn had searched for websites about suicide and drowning. |
Karim Khalil QC, defending, said Colebourn appeared to have a personality disorder but this was disputed by experts. | Karim Khalil QC, defending, said Colebourn appeared to have a personality disorder but this was disputed by experts. |
Colebourn has spent nearly a year in custody which will be deducted from the minimum term before she faces the parole board which will determine whether she is ever released. | Colebourn has spent nearly a year in custody which will be deducted from the minimum term before she faces the parole board which will determine whether she is ever released. |