UK UK - Sarah Wellgreen, 46, Kent, 9 Oct 2018 #2 *B. Lacomba guilty*
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CA CA - Corona, WhtFem 711UFCA, 17-21, blonde, in shallow grave, Dec'81
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mrazda71
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Helens Law?
Does it need to be by the time of sentence?
Or would/could it still be implemented at the time of eligibility for parole?
I 'think' that it's possibly already taken into consideration for parole hearings unofficially, if the prospective parolee is still claiming innocence then parole is a no go
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Woolwich Crown Court3T20197107
Ben Sebastian Lacomba
Details:For Sentence - Case Started - 10:08
Woolwich Crown Court Listings, daily hearing case lists, records & status details
Ben Sebastian Lacomba
Details:For Sentence - Case Started - 10:08
Woolwich Crown Court Listings, daily hearing case lists, records & status details
live updates here (I'll copy them over)
Ben Lacomba sentenced for murdering Sarah Wellgreen - live updates
Ben Lacomba sentenced for murdering Sarah Wellgreen - live updates
10:15
Sentencing set to begin this morning
Good morning and welcome to our live updates from Woolwich Crown Court as Judge Christopher Kinch QC is set to sentence Ben Lacomba.
Lacomba denied killing the beautician who was last seen returning to their shared home in New Ash Green just before 8pm on October 9 last year.
But the prosecution’s belief that Miss Wellgreen was murdered in a “calculated and premeditated manner to avoid detection” was favoured by the jury of 12.
After Lacomba was convicted of murder on October 28, Judge Kinch told the court: “There is only one sentence for the offence of which Lacomba is convicted.”
Murder has carried a mandatory life sentence in England and Wales since capital punishment was suspended in 1965.
But apart from the most serious cases, that doesn’t mean life in prison.
Instead, most people have to serve a minimum term in prison, which is determined by the judge in court after they’re found guilty.
Lacomba’s sentencing was delayed so more members of Miss Wellgreen’s family can be present in court.
Sentencing is set to begin at 10.15am and we will be bringing you all of the latest from the court room.
Ben Lacomba sentenced for murdering Sarah Wellgreen - live updates
Sentencing set to begin this morning
Good morning and welcome to our live updates from Woolwich Crown Court as Judge Christopher Kinch QC is set to sentence Ben Lacomba.
Lacomba denied killing the beautician who was last seen returning to their shared home in New Ash Green just before 8pm on October 9 last year.
But the prosecution’s belief that Miss Wellgreen was murdered in a “calculated and premeditated manner to avoid detection” was favoured by the jury of 12.
After Lacomba was convicted of murder on October 28, Judge Kinch told the court: “There is only one sentence for the offence of which Lacomba is convicted.”
Murder has carried a mandatory life sentence in England and Wales since capital punishment was suspended in 1965.
But apart from the most serious cases, that doesn’t mean life in prison.
Instead, most people have to serve a minimum term in prison, which is determined by the judge in court after they’re found guilty.
Lacomba’s sentencing was delayed so more members of Miss Wellgreen’s family can be present in court.
Sentencing is set to begin at 10.15am and we will be bringing you all of the latest from the court room.
Ben Lacomba sentenced for murdering Sarah Wellgreen - live updates
10:25
'Until I get my daughter back, I can’t grieve properly for her'
A statement from Sarah’s mother, Ann Reed, is being read out to the court.
In it she called Sarah her “darling beautiful daughter” and said her disappearance made her family’s “world come crashing down.”
She said: “On October 6, Sarah was at my flat as she often was as she had stayed the night with us.
“I said goodbye to Sarah the next day and I never thought that would be the last time I saw her.”
Heartbreakingly, she asked: “Was she drugged or in pain? How did she die? When did she die?
“Did he torment her? Did she know what was going to happen to her?
“Will I ever get to give her a proper funeral? To be able to give her a nice send off and then have somewhere to go to pay my respects to her.
“Until I get my daughter back, I can’t grieve properly for her.
“The one good thing is the kindness of people.
“Her children will know their mum was loved and cared about by so many people.”
Sarah’s mother describes her as a “bubbly, happy, headstrong and caring woman”.
She said: “She has never hurt anyone. She didn’t deserve this. I miss Sarah every day. I would give anything to hear her voice.
“She was the life and soul of any party. She was infectious.”
Ben Lacomba sentenced for murdering Sarah Wellgreen - live updates
'Until I get my daughter back, I can’t grieve properly for her'
A statement from Sarah’s mother, Ann Reed, is being read out to the court.
In it she called Sarah her “darling beautiful daughter” and said her disappearance made her family’s “world come crashing down.”
She said: “On October 6, Sarah was at my flat as she often was as she had stayed the night with us.
“I said goodbye to Sarah the next day and I never thought that would be the last time I saw her.”
Heartbreakingly, she asked: “Was she drugged or in pain? How did she die? When did she die?
“Did he torment her? Did she know what was going to happen to her?
“Will I ever get to give her a proper funeral? To be able to give her a nice send off and then have somewhere to go to pay my respects to her.
“Until I get my daughter back, I can’t grieve properly for her.
“The one good thing is the kindness of people.
“Her children will know their mum was loved and cared about by so many people.”
Sarah’s mother describes her as a “bubbly, happy, headstrong and caring woman”.
She said: “She has never hurt anyone. She didn’t deserve this. I miss Sarah every day. I would give anything to hear her voice.
“She was the life and soul of any party. She was infectious.”
Ben Lacomba sentenced for murdering Sarah Wellgreen - live updates
10:39
'I still pick up the phone to ring her but then realise I can’t'
Statements from Sarah’s children Lewes and Jack Burdett are now being read to the court.
In his statement, 23-year-old Lewis said his “world has fallen apart since [Sarah] is the only person who has been by my side my entire life.”
Addressing the court himself, he said: “Over the last year I have shut myself from everyone. I pushed away my family and friends. I just wanted to be on my own.
“My mind was so occupied on finding answers that I couldn’t concentrate.
“I put on a fake smile but deep down I’m an emotional wreck.
“I still pick up the phone to ring her but then realise I can’t.
“My life will never be the same now she’s gone. Knowing there is nothing I can do makes me feel dead inside.
“All I ever wanted was the truth about what happened to my mum. Rest in peace mum. I love you.”
Ben Lacomba sentenced for murdering Sarah Wellgreen - live updates
'I still pick up the phone to ring her but then realise I can’t'
Statements from Sarah’s children Lewes and Jack Burdett are now being read to the court.
In his statement, 23-year-old Lewis said his “world has fallen apart since [Sarah] is the only person who has been by my side my entire life.”
Addressing the court himself, he said: “Over the last year I have shut myself from everyone. I pushed away my family and friends. I just wanted to be on my own.
“My mind was so occupied on finding answers that I couldn’t concentrate.
“I put on a fake smile but deep down I’m an emotional wreck.
“I still pick up the phone to ring her but then realise I can’t.
“My life will never be the same now she’s gone. Knowing there is nothing I can do makes me feel dead inside.
“All I ever wanted was the truth about what happened to my mum. Rest in peace mum. I love you.”
Ben Lacomba sentenced for murdering Sarah Wellgreen - live updates
10:44
'I don’t believe we will get closure'
Jack, 22, echoed the sentiments behind the devastating speech his older brother gave to the courtroom.
In his statement, he said: “Losing my mum is the most traumatic thing I have ever known, ripping a hole in my heart.
“I feel so guilty that I wasn’t there to keep her safe.
“She was teaching me to be a homeowner and a landlord. We were making plans to have everyone in one place.
“Since October last year, my confidence has been taken away.
“I don’t like to talk about how this has hurt me. It breaks my heart. She will never see how well we have all done. Who we have grown up to be.
“Losing someone so close to you is hard enough but with no body or understanding of what happened, I don’t believe we will get closure.”
He added: “Part of me doesn’t want to find mum as that will be the final closure. I don’t want to face the reality of her being dead.
“I’m so angry that Ben hasn’t told us where she is, selfish and torturing our whole family.”
Ben Lacomba sentenced for murdering Sarah Wellgreen - live updates
'I don’t believe we will get closure'
Jack, 22, echoed the sentiments behind the devastating speech his older brother gave to the courtroom.
In his statement, he said: “Losing my mum is the most traumatic thing I have ever known, ripping a hole in my heart.
“I feel so guilty that I wasn’t there to keep her safe.
“She was teaching me to be a homeowner and a landlord. We were making plans to have everyone in one place.
“Since October last year, my confidence has been taken away.
“I don’t like to talk about how this has hurt me. It breaks my heart. She will never see how well we have all done. Who we have grown up to be.
“Losing someone so close to you is hard enough but with no body or understanding of what happened, I don’t believe we will get closure.”
He added: “Part of me doesn’t want to find mum as that will be the final closure. I don’t want to face the reality of her being dead.
“I’m so angry that Ben hasn’t told us where she is, selfish and torturing our whole family.”
Ben Lacomba sentenced for murdering Sarah Wellgreen - live updates
10:54
More statements from Sarah's family
The court is now hearing from other members of Sarah’s family.
First was a statement from Jim Reid, Sarah’s step father.
Jim, who Sarah treated as a father since 2006, said: “Sarah was instrumental in her mum and me being married.
“I will always think of her as my little girl.
“I still expect her to come through the door as she always did with a smile and say ‘hey daddy.’”
Next was a statement from Gail McEwan, Sarah’s second cousin.
In it she said Lacomba should remain in prison until he reveals to police where Sarah’s body is.
She said: “Sarah was a young woman who had so much to live for.
“She was a beautiful person inside and out.
“She was unable to defend the allegations against her (in court). The truth of the matter is Sarah was a modern young woman and like many others her age, was single.
“The murder of Sarah has had far-reaching and devastating consequences of her family.
“As a family, we have speculated endlessly on what happened to her that night and what he has done with her body. This haunts our thoughts and dreams every day and every night.”
She added: “There are no words that can explain how many lives have been changed by the actions of Ben Lacomba.
“He has shown no remorse.”
Ben Lacomba sentenced for murdering Sarah Wellgreen - live updates
More statements from Sarah's family
The court is now hearing from other members of Sarah’s family.
First was a statement from Jim Reid, Sarah’s step father.
Jim, who Sarah treated as a father since 2006, said: “Sarah was instrumental in her mum and me being married.
“I will always think of her as my little girl.
“I still expect her to come through the door as she always did with a smile and say ‘hey daddy.’”
Next was a statement from Gail McEwan, Sarah’s second cousin.
In it she said Lacomba should remain in prison until he reveals to police where Sarah’s body is.
She said: “Sarah was a young woman who had so much to live for.
“She was a beautiful person inside and out.
“She was unable to defend the allegations against her (in court). The truth of the matter is Sarah was a modern young woman and like many others her age, was single.
“The murder of Sarah has had far-reaching and devastating consequences of her family.
“As a family, we have speculated endlessly on what happened to her that night and what he has done with her body. This haunts our thoughts and dreams every day and every night.”
She added: “There are no words that can explain how many lives have been changed by the actions of Ben Lacomba.
“He has shown no remorse.”
Ben Lacomba sentenced for murdering Sarah Wellgreen - live updates
11:04
'Planned' murder
Statements from Sarah’s family have now all been presented to the court.
Alison Morgan QC, prosecuting,is now addressing the courtroom.
“The starting point for minimum term should be 30 years,” says Ms Morgan
The prosecution’s case is that one of the key motivations for Lacomba’s “planned” murder of Sarah Wellgreen was the ownership and occupation of 22 Bazes Shaw.
Ms Morgan says a pre-meditated murder takes “a considerable amount of careful preparation”.
She cites an example of this preparation as Lacomba checking the coverage of CCTV cameras at neighbouring 23 Bazes Shaw during the summer of 2018.
Ben Lacomba sentenced for murdering Sarah Wellgreen - live updates
'Planned' murder
Statements from Sarah’s family have now all been presented to the court.
Alison Morgan QC, prosecuting,is now addressing the courtroom.
“The starting point for minimum term should be 30 years,” says Ms Morgan
The prosecution’s case is that one of the key motivations for Lacomba’s “planned” murder of Sarah Wellgreen was the ownership and occupation of 22 Bazes Shaw.
Ms Morgan says a pre-meditated murder takes “a considerable amount of careful preparation”.
She cites an example of this preparation as Lacomba checking the coverage of CCTV cameras at neighbouring 23 Bazes Shaw during the summer of 2018.
Ben Lacomba sentenced for murdering Sarah Wellgreen - live updates
The prosecution has presented two routes of sentencing for Judge Kinch.
They both, despite the murder not being financially motivated, relate to what Lacomba gained from killing his former partner.
Ben Lacomba sentenced for murdering Sarah Wellgreen - live updates
They both, despite the murder not being financially motivated, relate to what Lacomba gained from killing his former partner.
Ben Lacomba sentenced for murdering Sarah Wellgreen - live updates
“A significant aggravating fact in this case is the concealment of the body,” says Ms Morgan.
Ben Lacomba sentenced for murdering Sarah Wellgreen - live updates
Ben Lacomba sentenced for murdering Sarah Wellgreen - live updates
11:33
'Enormous leap from 15 to 30 years'
The defence is now addressing Judge Kinch.
The suggestion of a minimum term of 30 years “is not justified on the evidence,” says Rebecca Trowler QC.
She does concede the jury have concluded that Lacomba is guilty and the evidence presented elements of “planning”.
Ms Trowler says 22 Bazes Shaw was shared 50/50 equity between Lacomba and Miss Wellgreen.
“There is no financial gain to the defendant as a result of Sarah Wellgreen’s death,” she says.
“It’s by no means clear that the defendant could have ever thought that he could remain in 22 Bazes Shaw upon Miss Wellgreen’s death because the possibility of a forced sale was inevitably exactly that and may well have arisen.
“Reflecting the seriousness of the offence, the planning, the disposal of evidence. Our submission is that those features do not justify the enormous leap from 15 to 30 years.”
Ben Lacomba sentenced for murdering Sarah Wellgreen - live updates
'Enormous leap from 15 to 30 years'
The defence is now addressing Judge Kinch.
The suggestion of a minimum term of 30 years “is not justified on the evidence,” says Rebecca Trowler QC.
She does concede the jury have concluded that Lacomba is guilty and the evidence presented elements of “planning”.
Ms Trowler says 22 Bazes Shaw was shared 50/50 equity between Lacomba and Miss Wellgreen.
“There is no financial gain to the defendant as a result of Sarah Wellgreen’s death,” she says.
“It’s by no means clear that the defendant could have ever thought that he could remain in 22 Bazes Shaw upon Miss Wellgreen’s death because the possibility of a forced sale was inevitably exactly that and may well have arisen.
“Reflecting the seriousness of the offence, the planning, the disposal of evidence. Our submission is that those features do not justify the enormous leap from 15 to 30 years.”
Ben Lacomba sentenced for murdering Sarah Wellgreen - live updates
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Not quite understanding where she's going with that point - he would get to keep the house, no buy out, surely that's a financial motive ?
I think he thought he'd get to keep the house - even if he wouldn't in actual fact. With Sarah 'missing' I don't think they can assume he would think death/estate rules would apply anyway, and he may have gone to court to try to get an order of some sort in his favour, if he could get them to think she'd voluntarily left.
12:00
Court breaks so Judge can consider sentence
The court has now taken a break so Judge Kinch can consider sentencing.
He will pass sentence upon his return, which is expected to be at around 12.30pm.
Ben Lacomba sentenced for murdering Sarah Wellgreen - live updates
Court breaks so Judge can consider sentence
The court has now taken a break so Judge Kinch can consider sentencing.
He will pass sentence upon his return, which is expected to be at around 12.30pm.
Ben Lacomba sentenced for murdering Sarah Wellgreen - live updates
Last edited:
12:39
Court resumes
Judge Kinch has returned and is about to deliver the verdict.
Ben Lacomba sentenced for murdering Sarah Wellgreen - live updates
Court resumes
Judge Kinch has returned and is about to deliver the verdict.
Ben Lacomba sentenced for murdering Sarah Wellgreen - live updates
12:42
'The sentence for murder is imprisonment for life and that will be the sentence in this case'
Judge Kinch has reviewed the evidence and returned to court to deliver Lacomba’s sentence.
Addressing Lacomba he said:
On October 28 you were convicted by a jury of the murder of Sarah Wellgreen.
She was your former partner and the mother of your children.
I have listened as Sarah’s son Lewis has read his statement in open court. I’m sure his mother would have been proud of him.
She was described as bubbly, kind and considerate. Someone who would step in if she thought anyone was being wronged or treated badly.
The task that I have is to arrive at a just outcome for the offence of murder.
The sentence for murder is imprisonment for life and that will be the sentence in this case.
Ben Lacomba sentenced for murdering Sarah Wellgreen - live updates
'The sentence for murder is imprisonment for life and that will be the sentence in this case'
Judge Kinch has reviewed the evidence and returned to court to deliver Lacomba’s sentence.
Addressing Lacomba he said:
On October 28 you were convicted by a jury of the murder of Sarah Wellgreen.
She was your former partner and the mother of your children.
I have listened as Sarah’s son Lewis has read his statement in open court. I’m sure his mother would have been proud of him.
She was described as bubbly, kind and considerate. Someone who would step in if she thought anyone was being wronged or treated badly.
The task that I have is to arrive at a just outcome for the offence of murder.
The sentence for murder is imprisonment for life and that will be the sentence in this case.
Ben Lacomba sentenced for murdering Sarah Wellgreen - live updates
12:47
Judge Kinch reviews evidence
Judge Kinch is now reviewing the evidence in the case.
He states that on the jury’s verdict, Lacomba must have killed her before taking her body in his car to bury her.
Judge Kinch adds that Lacomba then looked to “obstruct” the police investigation in the days after.
He said: “This murder was no crime of passion or momentary outburst of violence. It was, I am sure planned and calculated.”
Judge Kinch says the “immediate trigger for the timing of the murder” may have been Sarah getting her new job but he was satisfied that the “consideration and calculation took some time.”
Ben Lacomba sentenced for murdering Sarah Wellgreen - live updates
Judge Kinch reviews evidence
Judge Kinch is now reviewing the evidence in the case.
He states that on the jury’s verdict, Lacomba must have killed her before taking her body in his car to bury her.
Judge Kinch adds that Lacomba then looked to “obstruct” the police investigation in the days after.
He said: “This murder was no crime of passion or momentary outburst of violence. It was, I am sure planned and calculated.”
Judge Kinch says the “immediate trigger for the timing of the murder” may have been Sarah getting her new job but he was satisfied that the “consideration and calculation took some time.”
Ben Lacomba sentenced for murdering Sarah Wellgreen - live updates
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