LAURENS BRAND

HUSBAND JAILED FOR BRUTAL MURDER OF WIFE IN SHINFIELD

Laurens Brand, aged 47, was found guilty of killing his wife, Angela Mittal, at their residence in Shinfield on Boxing Day.

The assault was both violent and prolonged, involving a total of 59 stab wounds to her head, neck, torso, and arms.

The court was informed that he used two different kitchen knives during the incident.

The attack began while Mrs.

Mittal was in bed, but after breaking his first knife, Brand left the scene, retrieved another, and resumed stabbing her.

Descriptions of Mrs.

Mittal portrayed her as a lively, cheerful individual who had grown more withdrawn over recent years.

Her family shared their grief, feeling as though they themselves had been harmed.

Prosecutors pointed to her efforts to divorce and her transfer of £35,000 just before her death, as well as Brand's controlling tendencies.

After the murder, Brand called emergency services 45 minutes later, admitting to the killing and stating, 'My wife has been driving me crazy for some time already.

She was going to leave me...

I couldn't let that happen.' The judge sentenced Brand to life in prison, with a minimum term of 16 years and eight months, acknowledging the intense fear and suffering Mrs.

Mittal endured during the attack.