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Dominic ReynoldsVerified account‏@domreynolds 2m2 minutes ago
Dock at St Albans Crown Ct is empty - Ian Stewart has chosen not to attend his sentencing, which is imminent
Sarah Hajibagheri‏@SaraHajibagheri 1m1 minute ago
Dock at St Albans Crown Court is empty - Ian Stewart has refused to attend sentencing for murdering fiancée Helen Bailey
This all feels so awful after the brief release of the verdict, hearing these back stories. Her poor parents. I know I'm one of many who joined this forum after lurking for two or three weeks. I couldn't understand why, despite having more than enough in my life, this particular case seemed to have got in my head, constantly replaying and imagining a better ending, not believing what really happened. Yes I live near Cambridge, so it's been covered, and I have lived in the "Ham and High" area in London in my early working life, but that's not it.
It was such a revelation to find that so many other people, whether or not they actually knew Helen personally or through her works, felt the same. I know it's not quite goodbye yet-we have the sentence and April 11th (how will we do that?) but thanks for being so kind, clever and funny-all the things (and more) that Helen was and should still be. When was/is Helen's birthday?
11:17
KEY EVENT
It's life - minimum 30 years
Judge Bright: The sentence for murder is fixed by law and is for life imprisonment. That is the sentence I impact upon you, but I also must consider the minimum term before you are released on licence.
I am of the opinion that you serve a real danger for woman you form a relationship with. When you serve the minimum term, it will be down to others to decide whether to release you.
The seriousness of the offence is not so high as to justify a whole life order.
However, the appropriate starting term for a minimum term is 30 years.
Stewart handed minimum jail term of 34 years - he will be 90 before eligible for parole
Judge Bright: “Whilst we will never know whether you had an additional motive for killing a woman who loved you and wanted to be your wife, this is a murder for gain with aggravating features which make it difficult to think of a more heinous crime.
“I sentence you to a minimum term of 34 years. I acknowledge you will be 90 years of age before you become eligible for parole, but I am not inclined to reduce the minimum term in light of your age.”
Sounds like the judge has his doubts about the circumstances of Diane's death too.... Or am I reading too much in to that statement?
No I don't think you are.
The judge has in effect given him a whole life order...he's not in great health and I doubt he will make 90.
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And they did have something to say Helen had come to harm. The dog told them.
And Stewart spoke about her in the past tense on 15th April.
No I don't think you are.
The judge has in effect given him a whole life order...he's not in great health and I doubt he will make 90.
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