EASTENDERS ACTRESS'S PARTNER SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR FILICIDE
The partner of former EastEnders actress Sian Blake has been given a whole-life tariff for killing her and their two children.Arthur Simpson-Kent, 49, stabbed Ms Blake to death along with their sons Zachary, eight, and Amon, four.
The Old Bailey heard he killed them when he learnt Ms Blake was planning to leave him and take their sons away.
Ms Blake had motor neurone disease and would not have been able to defend herself, the court heard.
All three were hit on the head before they were stabbed in the neck or throat with a small axe by Simpson-Kent in December, who then buried their bodies in the garden.
He painted over the bloodstains in their bungalow in Erith, south-east London, before fleeing to his native Ghana in January.
Simpson-Kent was arrested at Heathrow Airport in February after being extradited.
He admitted murdering his family in June.
Mr Justice Singh said there was 'no doubt' that Simpson-Kent should serve the rest of his life in prison, highlighting the premeditation involved in each murder.
Serious aggravating features included the victims being vulnerable due to age or disability.
The court portrayed Simpson-Kent as a 'monster', with his mother-in-law expressing the deep sadness and fear they suffered, living in the aftermath of such a tragic and deliberate crime.
