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

[jessie]

Marking my spot - Sentencing on Monday

Is it generally one third off basic murder sentence for a guilty plea ?

 

[Cherwell]

The sentence for murder is life. The judge can't take anything off that. To the best of my knowledge, the variations can only apply to the minimum time laid down to be served before the offender can apply for parole. So the guilty plea may have a bearing on that.

 

[jessie]

Thank you. I apologise for such a poorly worded question. I should have asked "How can a plea of guilty to murder affect sentencing".

How long do murderers serve in prison?

 

[Alyce]

The Crown Court
at Stafford
Daily List for Monday 3 December 2018 at VICTORIA SQUARE, STAFFORD
Court 1
- sitting at 10:30 am

THE HONOURABLE MRS JUSTICE CARR DBE

For Sentence

T20187139
STIRLING Michael J

21SL0608718

DEFENDANT TO BE PRODUCED

HIS HONOUR JUDGE GLENN DL, HONORARY RECORDER OF STOKE ON
TRENT






PM ONLY

 

[ZaZara]

Will more details about the case be given after the sentencing?

 

[Alyce]

Thank you. I apologise for such a poorly worded question. I should have asked "How can a plea of guilty to murder affect sentencing".

How long do murderers serve in prison?

Many thanks for the link Jessie....

I dont think MS will be given a whole of life sentence, so it looks as though he will be eligible for a sentence reduction - although aggravating factors can hopefully over ride this.

from the article

The situation is different if the court decides not to give a whole life order. In these circumstances a guilty plea can reduce a sentence by a maximum of 1/6th but never more than five years.

 

[Alyce]

Link to Stoke Sentinel newspaper with live blog to cover sentencing today


Updates: Murderer Michael Stirling to be sentenced over midwife killing

 

[Alyce]

10:36
The sentencing of Michael Stirling has attracted national media attention
A large number of local and national news reporters are gathered outside the courtroom.

10:41
Samantha's family are being taken into court
Samantha’s family are being taken into the courtroom.

10:45
The prosecutor has entered the courtroom
The prosecution barrister, Jonas Hankin QC, is in court.
10:47
Stirling's lawyer is now in court
Stirling’s defence barrister, Charles Miskin QC, is in court.

Updates: Murderer Michael Stirling to be sentenced over midwife killing

 

[Alyce]

Just seen this - the link is no longer there, but this is something we thought of at the time - and explains why her colleagues did not raise the alarm earlier


The News Globe‏ @TheNewsGlobe Dec 1


'I need time to blow off steam' - Murderer Michael Stirling pretended to be Samantha Eastwood in evil text exchange with her frantic sister -

 

[Alyce]

Ben Chapman‏ @BenChapmanITV 55s55 seconds ago




Samantha Eastwood had been having an affair with Michael Stirling. Court is told that their relationship began with ‘mutual flirtation’ in 2013.

 

[Alyce]

10:52
The case has started
Mr Hankin has started opening the case.
He said Samantha started a relationship with Jon Peake in 2010.
His sister Katie was in a relationship with Stirling.


Updates: Murderer Michael Stirling to be sentenced over midwife killing

 

[Alyce]

10:53
Samantha Eastwood first started 'flirting' with Michael Stirling in 2013
In 2013, Stirling and his wife, Katie, had a daughter. Around this time, Samantha confided in friends that she and Stirling had been flirting.

 

[Alyce]

Picture linked to text messages article

 

[Alyce]

10:55
Stirling denied he was having an affair with Samantha
Samantha got engaged to Mr Peake in 2015 and they bought a house together. Their relationship became strained and they separated for a short time before splitting up in early 2018.
During their brief split Mr Peake confronted Stirling about the relationship. He denied anything was going on.

10:56
Samantha and Stirling had a 'close relationship' for years
For several years Samantha and Stirling maintained a close relationship, but the exact nature of their relationship at the time of her death is unclear.


Updates: Murderer Michael Stirling to be sentenced over midwife killing

 

[Alyce]

10:57
Samantha was her 'normal self' when she left the Royal Stoke for the last time
She very much enjoyed her job at the Royal Stoke University Hospital. At the time she disappeared she was working night shifts at the Hartshill complex.
She was described by a colleague as being fine and bubbly while at work, when she left work she was in good spirits and ‘her normal self’.
10:58
Lying Stirling claimed Samantha was unhappy
Stirling told police that Samantha was unhappy. Mr Hankin says this was one of the lies told by Stirling to make out she had ‘gone away’ because she was unhappy.


Updates: Murderer Michael Stirling to be sentenced over midwife killing

 

[Alyce]

11:00
CCTV captured Michael Stirling's van outside Samantha's Baddeley Green home
On the day Samantha disappeared Stirling left the house at 8am. CCTV from a house in Greenside Avenue, Baddeley Green, shows a small van arrived at Samantha’s house. She arrived a few minutes later. He was shown to leave an hour later and went to work. At 9.26am he sent his client a text to say he wouldn’t be finishing his work that day because he had a cough.


Updates: Murderer Michael Stirling to be sentenced over midwife killing

 

[Alyce]

'Get off me...' This scream by a woman was heard by one of Samantha's neighbours
That afternoon Nigel Jones was working at home, close to Samantha’s address. It was an extremely warm day and he had his windows open. At 3pm he heard a woman screaming. It lasted 15 to 20 seconds. It sounded as if she was being attacked and was fighting back. Thirty seconds later he heard the same woman shouting something like ‘Get off me’. The shouting then stopped. He did not hear a man’s voice.


Updates: Murderer Michael Stirling to be sentenced over midwife killing


Am astonished that the neighbour did nothing, being as he thought Samantha was being attacked - at least call the police surely ?

 

[Alyce]

Stirling was described as 'fine and cheerful' after killing Samantha
At 5.02pm on Friday, July 27, the CCTV camera showed Stirling walking out of Samantha’s driveway. Shortly afterwards he reversed the van onto the drive. He must then have put Samantha’s body into the van. He sent a text to his wife at 5.15pm saying he would meet her at his mum and dad’s. He drove to his parents’ house in Bucknall and parked the van, with Samantha’s body inside. He met with his wife and daughter there and the family spent the evening together. His wife described him as ‘fine and cheerful’.



Updates: Murderer Michael Stirling to be sentenced over midwife killing



same as Nathan Matthews - body inside the van

 

[Alyce]

Samantha's wedding dress and engagement ring were laid out on her bed
He then went home to Cromer Road, Northwood. His wife said he showered and changed his clothes as soon as he got home.
After Samantha was reported missing Mr Peake telephoned Stirling to get a key for Samantha’s property and went to check for her. Her engagement ring and wedding dress were laid out on the bed - the prosecution says this was Stirling ‘laying a false trail’.

Updates: Murderer Michael Stirling to be sentenced over midwife killing

 

[Alyce]

Ben Chapman‏ @BenChapmanITV 3m3 minutes ago

In the hours after Samantha was reported missing, Michael Stirling told relatives he was joining the search for her - but was actually burying her, digging a shallow grave in a remote area.