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Leanne Meecham murder: Stepfather Simon Meecham jailed | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A "jealous" man convicted of the murder of his stepdaughter, who was also his former lover, has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 22 years. | A "jealous" man convicted of the murder of his stepdaughter, who was also his former lover, has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 22 years. |
Leanne Meecham, 26, was stabbed at her house in Westcliff-on-Sea, in Essex, in February. She died in hospital. | |
Her stepfather and former partner Simon Meecham, 43, was found guilty by a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court on Wednesday. | Her stepfather and former partner Simon Meecham, 43, was found guilty by a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court on Wednesday. |
Sentencing Meecham, Judge Charles Gratwicke told him: "You are a jealous and aggressive man." | Sentencing Meecham, Judge Charles Gratwicke told him: "You are a jealous and aggressive man." |
Prosecutors said Meecham, who had previously been married to Miss Meecham's mother Jane, was "motivated by jealousy and anger" at his stepdaughter's new relationship. | Prosecutors said Meecham, who had previously been married to Miss Meecham's mother Jane, was "motivated by jealousy and anger" at his stepdaughter's new relationship. |
The judge told Meecham: "You could not bear to see Leanne with anyone else. | The judge told Meecham: "You could not bear to see Leanne with anyone else. |
"As a result of your wickedness an innocent and loving young woman was cut down in the prime of her life." | "As a result of your wickedness an innocent and loving young woman was cut down in the prime of her life." |
'Determined attack' | |
During the trial, Meecham, from Rosewood Lane, Shoeburyness, told the jury he injured Miss Meecham by mistake, not realising he was holding a knife. | During the trial, Meecham, from Rosewood Lane, Shoeburyness, told the jury he injured Miss Meecham by mistake, not realising he was holding a knife. |
But Essex Police described the stabbing on 13 February as "a determined, focused and wholly unprovoked attack" on a "defenceless" victim. | |
Miss Meecham died in hospital in London a week later. | Miss Meecham died in hospital in London a week later. |
A post-mortem examination found she suffered brain damage, caused by a lack of oxygen, after she was stabbed in the windpipe. | A post-mortem examination found she suffered brain damage, caused by a lack of oxygen, after she was stabbed in the windpipe. |
A domestic homicide review and an internal police investigation into the case, supervised by the Independent Police Complaints Commission, are taking place. | |
Police had been called to disturbances at Miss Meecham's house on Park Street on numerous occasions. | Police had been called to disturbances at Miss Meecham's house on Park Street on numerous occasions. |
In January, he was arrested and pleaded guilty to common assault, leading to he and Miss Meecham splitting up. | |
Det Ch Insp Mark Hall, of Essex Police, said: "This tragic case illustrates the dangers faced by those who suffer violence and abuse within their homes." | |
In a statement, the Meecham family said: "Despite the conviction of her killer, his term of imprisonment will never be sufficient punishment for taking Leanne from us." |
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