GUILTY UK - Mylee Billingham, 8, murdered, West Midlands, 20 Jan 2018

[Legally Bland]

I'm not sure I understand why his injuries mean he couldn't travel in a police van, or at least in the back of a police car. It just seems strange to be using taxis to transport accused murderers to and from prison.

 

[Legally Bland]

11:05
Public gallery is full
The court has now assembled with the public gallery full, which includes the defendant’s former partner Miss Tracey Taundry.

Billingham, with his arms still bandaged, and wearing a grey top, has been brought into the dock and sits with two dock officers.

Karim Khalil QC, prosecuting, said Miss Taundry has provided a statement.


"I realise my Smiley Miley, my baby has gone"
Mylee’s mother, Miss Tracey Taundry, said in a statement:

On January 20 2018 my life and that of my children fell apart.

I was helpless outside unable to hold her hand to comfort her.

Since this incident I have struggled to sleep and suffer from nightmares, I realise my Smiley Miley, my baby has gone.

She loved to dance and sing. No more dance shows.​

11:09KEY EVENT
"Mylee you were perfect. I trusted him with my most perfect girl"
She described the effect on the two other the daughters:

Both of the girls have had to have counselling. None of us will get over this.

Mylee you were perfect. I trusted him with my most perfect girl.

He took your life with the same hands he used to pick you up.​

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/live-mylee-stabbed-court-dad-15167220

 

[Legally Bland]

11:15
'There was an intention to kill'
Mr Khalil said aggravating factors included:

Plainly the vulnerability of the victim and the abuse of position of trust.

She had her airways blocked to prevent her screaming and having stabbed her he lay on top of her, he added.

There did not appear to be a significant degree of planning. There was an intention to kill rather than anything else, said Mr Khalil​

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/live-mylee-stabbed-court-dad-15167220

 

[Legally Bland]

11:21 KEY EVENT
'His punishment is that he is still breathing'
Balraj Bhatia, defending, said he did not dispute that 25 years was the minimum tariff.

There was lack of premeditation, he told the court.

The two aggravating factors were the victim’s vulnerable age and the abuse of trust, he said.

It is a tragedy and has marked many lives. His punishment is that he is still breathing.

He tried to take his own life and it was a serious attempt and during the course of the trial he tried to take his own life.


11:22
The judge has now risen
Judge Paul Farrer QC has now risen before passing sentence.

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/live-mylee-stabbed-court-dad-15167220

 

[Alyce]

Surprised they took as long as 80 minutes! Glad to see this one called right, I don't buy any of his amnesia BS

My guess is they all had a coffee and a chat and just waited out the 80 minutes for form's sake.
I would imagine they all said guilty the moment they walked into the Jury room.

 

[Alyce]

I'm not sure I understand why his injuries mean he couldn't travel in a police van, or at least in the back of a police car. It just seems strange to be using taxis to transport accused murderers to and from prison.

Indeed. I appreciate they couldnt handcuff him ( although I would have ! ) but surely a police van or even car would have been more secure than a regular taxi.

 

[Legally Bland]

11:47KEY EVENT
'Jealousy'
Judge Farrer said Billingham had been jealous about her relationship with her new partner.

You began to send her explicit sexual messages. Miss Taundry described your behaviour as menacing.

Against that back ground you arranged to pick Mylee up from school.

The following day you should have returned Mylee to her mother.​

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/live-mylee-stabbed-court-dad-15167220

 

[Legally Bland]

11:49
The judge is about to sentence
Billingham is moments away from being sentenced

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/live-mylee-stabbed-court-dad-15167220

 

[Legally Bland]

11:51
'This offence was driven by jealousy and anger' - judge
The judge said Billingham had armed himself with a large knife and put the knife to Miss Taundry’s neck.

Mylee was crying and shouting at you to stop. You dragged her back. You put your hand over her mouth.You then took her into the kitchen where you attacked her.

She suffered two defensive injuries into her hands.

You plunged the blade into her chest.Having stabbed your daughter you turned the knife on to yourself.

This offence was driven by jealousy and anger.


https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/live-mylee-stabbed-court-dad-15167220

 

[Legally Bland]

11:53
'I accept you realised the enormity of what you had done'
The judge continues:

You deployed a deadly weapon.Prior to attacking Mylee you threatened to kill Miss Taundry.

Your actions have had a devastating impact.

Your culpability is at a very high level. I accept you loved Mylee and your decision to harm her arose spontaneously.

I accept you realised the enormity of what you had done.​

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/live-mylee-stabbed-court-dad-15167220

 

[Legally Bland]

11:55 KEY EVENT
27 years
Jailed for at least 27 years

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/live-mylee-stabbed-court-dad-15167220

 

[Alyce]

Excellent - had hoped for longer, but that will see him through to 82 at least - not that he will make it that far I'm sure.

 

[Legally Bland]

11:57 KEY EVENT
'This was the brutal killing of a defenceless child who had her whole life in front of her'
The judge said:

This was the brutal killing of a defenceless child who had her whole life in front of her.

He has imposed a life sentence and ordered he must serve a minimum of 27 years.

As he was being taken away someone from the public gallery shouted out “scum”The judge passed a concurrent sentence of two years for the threats to kill conviction

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/live-mylee-stabbed-court-dad-15167220

 

[Alyce]

Friends have since described him as a “Jekyll and Hyde character” who boasted he was a “cradle snatcher” after seducing Tracey when she was 19.


One told the Mirror: “Bill could be a top fella one minute and then would just snap. He liked a drink, but you never knew when he would flip.”

Mylee Billingham's dad sentenced to life in prison for eight-year-old's murder

 

[Sarahlou]

Excellent - had hoped for longer, but that will see him through to 82 at least - not that he will make it that far I'm sure.

Yes, a decent sentence. I highly doubt he will live that long anyway.

 

[jiminy]

For once, I have no quibble with the sentence. Thank you, Judge Farrer.

 

[Livness]

The words of West Mids Police Chief Constable Dave Thompson: 'A dreadful crime. Despite the efforts of officers we could not save Mylee. I am proud we gave her justice. Billingham has no right to call himself her father.'

Those who attended will never forget over what they faced that night. They will always view it as not saving her. I hope they are well supported.

Her poor, poor mum and siblings. There are no words.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Revealed: Whining letter from prison of dad who killed daughter, 8

 

[KarenUK]

"Billingham has refused to give up his parental rights to their two surviving girls – even though he is now serving life in jail.
He is entitled to regular updates on the other kids and has a say in medical treatment and education. Tracey even needs permission to take them on holiday."

The mother of tragic eight-year-old Mylee Billingham is calling for the Government to create ‘Mylee’s Law’ as she battles to keep her ex-partner away from her two other children.

 

[Sarahlou]

"Billingham has refused to give up his parental rights to their two surviving girls – even though he is now serving life in jail.
He is entitled to regular updates on the other kids and has a say in medical treatment and education. Tracey even needs permission to take them on holiday."

The mother of tragic eight-year-old Mylee Billingham is calling for the Government to create ‘Mylee’s Law’ as she battles to keep her ex-partner away from her two other children.

That is ridiculous. He should have no say in his other kids' lives imo.