Found Deceased UK - Samantha Eastwood, 28, Stoke-on-Trent, 27 July 2018 *Arrest*

[jessie]

Prosecutor challenges part of Stirling's story
Mr Hankin has told the judge that the prosecution does not accept Stirling’s account of why the tape was applied to Samantha’s face.
This is now being discussed by the barristers and the judge.


Updates: Murderer Michael Stirling to be sentenced over midwife killing


totally agree, nor do I

Do you recall that many world class specialists were going to be called to give evidence about the implications of this 'tape' issue? It is clearly a very complicated point - and perhaps has a bearing on why he decided to plead guilty in advance of a trial?

 

[jessie]

What is the minimum/maximum sentence he is looking at?

The sentence for murder is Life - but in England that doe not mean life in prison. The sentence can be completed on parole =

Parliament has decided that judges must give a life sentence to all offenders found guilty of murder. The judge will set a minimum term an offender must serve before they can be considered for release by the Parole Board.

The minimum term for murder is based on the starting points set out in Schedule 21 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (as amended). This schedule sets out examples of the different types of cases and the starting point which would usually be applied, for example, where the murder is committed with a knife or other weapon, the starting point is 25 years.

The offender will only be released once they have served the minimum term and if the Parole Board is satisfied that detaining the offender is no longer necessary for the protection of the public. If released, an offender serving a life sentence will remain on licence for the rest of their life. They may be recalled to prison at any time if they are considered to be a risk to the public. They do not need to have committed another offence in order to be recalled.

 

[Alyce]

Do you recall that many world class specialists were going to be called to give evidence about the implications of this 'tape' issue? It is clearly a very complicated point - and perhaps has a bearing on why he decided to plead guilty in advance of a trial?

Wonder if the Prosecution were not able to call these experts, because the case didnt go to trial ? so the extra costs were not allowed ?
Really hope they can persuade the Judge to agree re the tape, which should lead to an increase in sentence, based on MS leaving SE to die.

 

[jessie]

Many thanks for all the updates Alyce. The evidence is far far worse than I feared and left me speechless while reading.
We will never know why he committed such a despicable act, nor why the seeming 'planning' and the callous disposable of poor Samantha.
I hope he gets the heaviest sentence possible.

 

[Alyce]

I agree Jessie - I dont know why, but every case we follow, I always hope it was a tragic accident, only to learn that it was anything but.
I really dont buy the part about him not being confrontational and not arguing back. I cant match that to someone who can murder in such a brutal way.

 

[Alyce]

14 24
Friends and family are coming into court as murderer Michael Stirling awaits sentence
Everyone is returning to the courtroom ready for Stirling’s sentence.


There's not a spare seat at Stafford Crown Court
The public gallery is full. The jury box and press gallery are filled with news reporters.

Murderer Michael Stirling is now back in court to learn his fate
The judge Mrs Justice Carr has returned to court. Stirling has now been brought back into court to hear his fate.


Updates: Murderer Michael Stirling to be sentenced over midwife killing

 

[Alyce]

Judge tells Stirling: 'You lied and lied - over and over again'
The judge has told Stirling to remain seated while she makes her sentencing remarks.
She is describing Samantha’s disappearance, how a search was conducted and how Samantha’s body was found by the side of a road near Caverswall.

Mrs Justice Carr said “In the agonising hours and days following her death you lied and lied, over and over again, in an attempt to cover up what you had done.”

Judge describes how Stirling killed Samantha
The judge has described Stirling’s version of how he killed Samantha.


Stirling constructed a 'dishonest diversion strategy' after murdering Samantha
The judge says Stirling constructed a ‘dishonest diversion strategy’ following the murder, so he could bury Samantha’s body while pretending to search for her.


Updates: Murderer Michael Stirling to be sentenced over midwife killing

 

[Alyce]

Dan Sales‏ @ByDanSales 2m2 minutes ago




Judge sentencing Michael Stirling said pretending to be Samantha to text her sister after her death showed “breathtaking cruelty”

 

[Alyce]

Judge tells Stirling: 'You used breath-taking cruelty'
Describing the text messages Stirling sent from Samantha’s phone to her sister Gemma the day after the murder, the judge said: “You took your actions to a new level, with breath-taking cruelty. It is difficult to imagine the further appalling distress and confusion this caused to Samantha’s family and friends.”

Statements from Samantha Eastwood's family and friends were 'moving'
The judge has described the statements from Samantha’s family and friends as ‘moving’, and remarked on Gemma’s bravery in giving her statement to the court in person.


Updates: Murderer Michael Stirling to be sentenced over midwife killing

 

[Alyce]

Judge tells Stirling: 'You weaved an extraordinary web of deception'
Mrs Justice Carr is listing the aggravating factors of the offence. She said the primary ones were the concealment of the body and ‘the sophisticated and audacious cover-up’. She told Stirling: “You weaved an extraordinary web of deception”, and called him ‘composed and callous’.



Updates: Murderer Michael Stirling to be sentenced over midwife killing

 

[Alyce]

Stirling has a lack of previous convictions
The judge includes Stirling’s lack of previous convictions and the fact that the killing was not pre-meditated as mitigating factors.

Updates: Murderer Michael Stirling to be sentenced over midwife killing


No, surely it was pre meditated - all that research and the tape

 

[Alyce]

Dan Sales‏ @ByDanSales 2m2 minutes ago




BREAKING: Michael Stirling, 32, jailed for minimum 17 years for murdering midwife Samantha Eastwood in a fit of rage during secret relationship

 

[Alyce]

Judge tells Stirling: 'Stand up'
Stirling has been told to stand up to receive his sentence. He is standing upright, holding his hands in front of him and looking at the judge.

Murderer Michael Stirling handed life sentence
Stirling has been sentenced to life imprisonment.


Updates: Murderer Michael Stirling to be sentenced over midwife killing

 

[Alyce]

Murderer Michael Stirling must serve SEVENTEEN years behind bars before he can be considered for parole
Michael Stirling must serve a minimum term of 17 years and 52 days before he can be considered for parole.
He showed no emotion when sentence was announced.


Murderer Michael Stirling has been sent to the cells
Stirling has now been taken down to the cells.


Updates: Murderer Michael Stirling to be sentenced over midwife killing

 

[Alyce]

Judge thanks public for their conduct
The judge has thanked those in the public gallery for their conduct during the ‘difficult’ sentencing.
She has now left the court and the family, the press and the public are also leaving.

We'll bring you more as we get it
Our reporter will remain at court to see if the family or Staffordshire Police will make a statement on the steps of Stafford Crown Court.

Updates: Murderer Michael Stirling to be sentenced over midwife killing

 

[Legally Bland]

Just caught up. Thanks for the updates, Alyce. 17 years is disappointing.

 

[Alyce]

Am astonished - I expected at least 25 or more ( even taking into account the reduction for the guilty plea )

I do not understand how they can say it was not pre meditated.

 

[Alyce]

Just caught up. Thanks for the updates, Alyce. 17 years is disappointing.

Agree Legally - am quite shocked and am sure Samantha's family will not be happy with this

 

[Alyce]

DI Dan Ison giving an interview



How detectives always knew murderer Michael Stirling was their man

 

[Elainera]

Did the judge feel the google searches were not enough to prove premeditation? I guess she must have. I also expected a longer sentence.