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Golf club beheading man Jonathan Limani jailed for life | Golf club beheading man Jonathan Limani jailed for life |
(40 minutes later) | |
A man who admitted beheading a restaurant manager at a golf club has been jailed for life. | A man who admitted beheading a restaurant manager at a golf club has been jailed for life. |
The body of Christopher Varian, 32, from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, was discovered by colleagues at The Oxfordshire in Thame in August 2010. | The body of Christopher Varian, 32, from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, was discovered by colleagues at The Oxfordshire in Thame in August 2010. |
Jonathan Limani, 33, formerly of Rycote Lane, Thame, pleaded guilty to manslaughter with diminished responsibility at Oxford Crown Court. | Jonathan Limani, 33, formerly of Rycote Lane, Thame, pleaded guilty to manslaughter with diminished responsibility at Oxford Crown Court. |
Limani, a waiter at the hotel, was told he would serve at least 19 years. | Limani, a waiter at the hotel, was told he would serve at least 19 years. |
Judge Anthony King said Limani, who is currently in Broadmoor Hospital, may never be released. | Judge Anthony King said Limani, who is currently in Broadmoor Hospital, may never be released. |
The court heard how staff had found the killer sitting near Mr Varian's decapitated body after attacking him with a knife. | The court heard how staff had found the killer sitting near Mr Varian's decapitated body after attacking him with a knife. |
'Total shock' | |
Limani was said to have a lengthy history of mental ill health and paranoid schizophrenia. | Limani was said to have a lengthy history of mental ill health and paranoid schizophrenia. |
He also had a criminal conviction for the supply of heroin in Switzerland. | He also had a criminal conviction for the supply of heroin in Switzerland. |
Limani, an Albanian with a Swedish passport, had previously denied all charges when he appeared in court in November. | Limani, an Albanian with a Swedish passport, had previously denied all charges when he appeared in court in November. |
The victim's father Nigel Varian, who runs a bed and breakfast with wife Sue in France, told the BBC about the day the couple learnt of their son's death. | |
"It was a terrible, terrible day, because we were on our way over to our other son's wedding," he said. | |
"That Chris had been killed by this guy who worked for him, and that he was beheaded at the scene, was just impossible to get to grips with. | |
"It was just after lunchtime and when a break came up Chris went out to the staff smoking area to take a cigarette and while he was there this man Limani, who was a server, followed him out there and assaulted him with a knife. | |
"Chris didn't appear to have time to even cry out. | |
"When he was on the ground Limani then proceeded to decapitate him in the most gruesome manner. | |
"It was just a total shock to us when we heard this. This is probably the most shocking aspect of the whole case. | |
"I think over the past year there has not been an hour when my wife and I have not been thinking about Chris in one respect or another, or discussing between each other how this could have come about." | |
Mrs Varian added: "It's still hard to come to terms with his loss and the horrendous manner in which he died. | |
"I think of him and what he must have gone through. | |
"It's left me with a bed and breakfast business that I no longer want to be in. My heart's gone out of hospitality. | |
"We are now trying to sell and I don't know where we will go from here except that we want to be with our family and keep strong together." | |
'Dreadful crime' | |
In an earlier statement Varian family had questioned how Limani came to be living and working in the UK and said they thought there had been "a catalogue of errors". | |
Catherine Bearder, Liberal Democrat MEP for South East England, said: "This is a dreadful crime but it's very difficult to see how that could have been prevented. | Catherine Bearder, Liberal Democrat MEP for South East England, said: "This is a dreadful crime but it's very difficult to see how that could have been prevented. |
"It's always easier after the fact. | "It's always easier after the fact. |
"I'm working with my colleagues across Europe to increase cross-border co-operation with police forces." | "I'm working with my colleagues across Europe to increase cross-border co-operation with police forces." |
A statement from The Oxfordshire said: "We are glad that the court has reached its verdict. | A statement from The Oxfordshire said: "We are glad that the court has reached its verdict. |
"Christopher was a much-loved member of staff and is greatly missed by all of us. | "Christopher was a much-loved member of staff and is greatly missed by all of us. |
"Our thoughts remain with his family and friends." | "Our thoughts remain with his family and friends." |