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Ian McLoughlin gets life term for Graham Buck murder | Ian McLoughlin gets life term for Graham Buck murder |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A convicted killer who stabbed to death a Good Samaritan in a village in Hertfordshire has been jailed for life. | |
Ian John McLoughlin, 55, admitted murdering Graham Buck, 66, in Little Gaddesden, last July, while on day release from a murder sentence. | |
Mr Buck was stabbed when he went to help his neighbour, Francis Cory-Wright, 86, who was being robbed. | Mr Buck was stabbed when he went to help his neighbour, Francis Cory-Wright, 86, who was being robbed. |
McLoughlin, who also has a previous conviction for manslaughter, was told he must serve at least 40 years. | McLoughlin, who also has a previous conviction for manslaughter, was told he must serve at least 40 years. |
He was on his first day release from HMP Spring Hill where he was serving a life term for the 1992 stab murder of Brighton barman Peter Halls. | |
Human rights | |
He had previously been jailed for 10 years for the manslaughter of Len Delgatty, 49, in 1984, whom he beat over the head with a hammer. | |
Sentencing McLoughlin at the Old Bailey, Mr Justice Sweeney said he was barred from passing a whole-life term because of a European judgment that those sentences were in breach of human rights. | |
Mr Justice Sweeney told McLoughlin: "The offence was committed on the day of your first day-release from prison after 21 years in custody, after being in prison for a life sentence for murder in 1992." | |
The judge went on: "You decided to go to Cory-Wright's home to get more money from him by theft or robbery if necessary." | |
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) spokesman said Nick Hardwick, the chief inspector of prisons, was reviewing the decision to allow McLoughlin to be part of the prison day release programme. | |
In July the MoJ said release on temporary licence was used to prepare prisoners for their eventual release from custody. | |
The spokesman added that Attorney General Dominic Grieve was considering whether to challenge the new sentence as too lenient. | |
Stabbed in neck | |
Speaking outside the court after sentencing, Mr Buck's wife, Karen, said: "Graham's death has left a hole in many people's lives. He will be missed but he will not be forgotten. | |
"Many questions still remain unanswered at this stage and I await the MoJ's inquiry into day release of prisoners with interest." | |
The court heard McLouglin turned up at Mr Cory-Wright's house claiming to need help setting up a charity supporting elderly ex-offenders. | The court heard McLouglin turned up at Mr Cory-Wright's house claiming to need help setting up a charity supporting elderly ex-offenders. |
McLoughlin suddenly grabbed him and demanded to know where he kept his "gold and silver". | |
He tied Mr Cory-Wright to the bed, stuffed silver family heirlooms into a pillowcase and demanded his bank cards and Pin numbers. | He tied Mr Cory-Wright to the bed, stuffed silver family heirlooms into a pillowcase and demanded his bank cards and Pin numbers. |
Father-of-three Mr Buck, who lived two doors away from Mr Cory-Wright, went to help him after hearing shouting. | |
McLoughlin said he was confronted by Mr Buck as he tried to flee Mr Cory-Wright's house and stabbed him in the neck, causing a gaping wound. | |
The judge said he had no doubt that McLoughlin intended to kill Mr Buck. | The judge said he had no doubt that McLoughlin intended to kill Mr Buck. |
He said McLoughlin had been in a rage when he carried out the killing. | |
"That rage had come about because Cory-Wright had the money he wanted, but wouldn't voluntarily hand it over," he said. | "That rage had come about because Cory-Wright had the money he wanted, but wouldn't voluntarily hand it over," he said. |
Mr Buck was born in London and lived in Surrey and Sussex before moving to Hertfordshire in 1995. | Mr Buck was born in London and lived in Surrey and Sussex before moving to Hertfordshire in 1995. |
'Horrific crime' | |
Since his retirement he had worked as a non-executive director at Aldwyck Housing Association in Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire. | Since his retirement he had worked as a non-executive director at Aldwyck Housing Association in Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire. |
He had two sons, a daughter and two grandchildren. | |
In July, Det Ch Supt Jeff Hill said: "Mr Buck's actions were totally selfless and illustrate a deep sense of community spirit which deserves recognition and respect." | In July, Det Ch Supt Jeff Hill said: "Mr Buck's actions were totally selfless and illustrate a deep sense of community spirit which deserves recognition and respect." |
Det Insp Martin Brunning, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, called Mr Buck's murder a "horrific crime". | Det Insp Martin Brunning, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, called Mr Buck's murder a "horrific crime". |
He said: "Our thoughts are with Graham's family at this time. No-one should lose a loved one in these circumstances." | He said: "Our thoughts are with Graham's family at this time. No-one should lose a loved one in these circumstances." |
McLoughlin also admitted robbery for which he was sentenced to eight years, to run concurrently. | McLoughlin also admitted robbery for which he was sentenced to eight years, to run concurrently. |