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Killer jailed after jeopardy case Killer jailed after jeopardy case
(40 minutes later)
An ex-footballer has been jailed for life at the Old Bailey for killing his former girlfriend seven years after being cleared of the crime.An ex-footballer has been jailed for life at the Old Bailey for killing his former girlfriend seven years after being cleared of the crime.
Mario Celaire, 31, a former Maidstone United player, was cleared in 2002 of killing Cassandra McDermott, 19, in Norbury, south-east London in 2001.Mario Celaire, 31, a former Maidstone United player, was cleared in 2002 of killing Cassandra McDermott, 19, in Norbury, south-east London in 2001.
He was prosecuted again under double jeopardy laws when his next victim told police he had confessed to the killing.He was prosecuted again under double jeopardy laws when his next victim told police he had confessed to the killing.
Celaire, who admitted manslaughter, has been given a minimum term of 23 years.Celaire, who admitted manslaughter, has been given a minimum term of 23 years.
'Showed no mercy''Showed no mercy'
Celaire was jailed for a minimum of eight years for manslaughter. Celaire has been jailed for a minimum of eight years for manslaughter.
He was given a concurrent life term with at least 23 years for the attempted murder of Kara Hoyte, another ex-girlfriend, in a hammer attack six years later.He was given a concurrent life term with at least 23 years for the attempted murder of Kara Hoyte, another ex-girlfriend, in a hammer attack six years later.
Sentencing him Judge Paul Worsley said Celaire "showed no mercy" to his two victims.Sentencing him Judge Paul Worsley said Celaire "showed no mercy" to his two victims.
"You present a very real and continuing danger to young women with whom you enter into a close relationship," he said."You present a very real and continuing danger to young women with whom you enter into a close relationship," he said.
The court was told about Miss Hoyte's "remarkable" courage which made her bring Celaire to justice despite suffering brain damage in the attack, which left her left paralysed and barely able to speak.
Celaire physically abused Cassandra McDermott during their relationshipCelaire physically abused Cassandra McDermott during their relationship
The judge said Celaire had waited until the very last minute to plead guilty to see if the evidence of severely disabled Miss Hoyte would stand up to scrutiny.
He told him: "Your delay in admitting these charges so long after the offences had been committed was callous and calculating."
The court was told about Miss Hoyte's "remarkable" courage which made her bring Celaire to justice despite suffering brain damage in the attack, which left her left paralysed and barely able to speak.
The attack was so severe that parts of Miss Hoyte's brain were exposed when she was found in a pool of blood in her room.The attack was so severe that parts of Miss Hoyte's brain were exposed when she was found in a pool of blood in her room.
While recovering in hospital she told her family about the incident and the attacker using "writing, drawing and gestures".While recovering in hospital she told her family about the incident and the attacker using "writing, drawing and gestures".
The court heard that Celaire visited her in hospital while she was recovering assuming she would never be able to tell her story.The court heard that Celaire visited her in hospital while she was recovering assuming she would never be able to tell her story.
Nine months after Celaire attacked her, Miss Hoyte told police that he had admitted killing Miss McDermott after Miss Hoyte found case papers from his trial and challenged him about it.Nine months after Celaire attacked her, Miss Hoyte told police that he had admitted killing Miss McDermott after Miss Hoyte found case papers from his trial and challenged him about it.
Egotistical and narcissistic
Simon Denison QC, prosecuting, said: "With the severity of her injuries it is remarkable that Kara survived.Simon Denison QC, prosecuting, said: "With the severity of her injuries it is remarkable that Kara survived.
"Those blows to her head that fractured her skull caused severe damage to the left side of her brain.
"As a result of the attack on her she is severely disabled. Physically, she is partially paralysed down her right side so that so that she has very limited use of her right arm and right leg."As a result of the attack on her she is severely disabled. Physically, she is partially paralysed down her right side so that so that she has very limited use of her right arm and right leg.
"Her ability to speak is limited to single-word phrases. She uses writing, drawing and gestures to express herself.""Her ability to speak is limited to single-word phrases. She uses writing, drawing and gestures to express herself."
Since Celaire's original trial, the law has been changed to enable someone to be prosecuted more than once for serious offences such as murder where "compelling new evidence" exists - a process known as "double jeopardy". A psychiatrist's report into Celaire said he had "significant egotistical and narcissistic elements to his personality" and had made "lengthy and persistent attempts to avoid responsibility for offences of the utmost seriousness."
Since Celaire's original trial, the law has been changed to enable someone to be prosecuted more than once for serious offences such as murder where "compelling new evidence" exists.