LEEDS MAN JAILED FOR LIFE FOR BRUTAL MURDERS DURING PSYCHOTIC EPISODE
A man who murdered his partner Sarah Laycock, a deputy head teacher aged 31, and her eight-year-old daughter Abigail Miller at their home in January 2012 has been sentenced to life imprisonment.John Miller, of Garforth, Leeds, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility but denied murder.
He told police he carried out the killings after hearing voices.
The judge stated that Miller must serve at least 15 years.
The bodies of Sarah and Abigail were found at the family residence in Kirkby Avenue.
The court learned that their four-year-old daughter, Amelia, was present in the house during Miller’s psychotic episode.
The Crown Prosecution Service accepted Miller’s manslaughter plea.
The father of Sarah Laycock, Christopher, expressed his grief, saying: "I've had no reprieve, no release for good behaviour.
My daughter and granddaughter - brutally and violently murdered - their basic human rights removed - their right to live.
Everything I've worked for is now gone.
Everything I planned for has gone." Following sentencing, Martin Goldman, the chief crown prosecutor for Yorkshire and Humberside, described the case as "truly appalling and tragic" and extended condolences to the victims’ family.
John Miller, who was detained in long-term psychiatric care, was described as being delusional and out of control due to his psychosis, which led to him becoming violent towards those closest to him.
Det Supt Lisa Griffin from West Yorkshire Police highlighted that Miller inflicted terrible injuries on his victims during a violent episode and emphasized the prolonged process of bringing him to justice was due to his mental health issues.
