ELTHAM MAN JAILED FOR KILLING PARTNER WITH BREEZE BLOCK
A man who killed his partner with a breeze block, 10 days after he was released from a mental health unit, has been jailed.Sarah Smith, 39, suffered severe head injuries when she was attacked at a flat in Henwick Road, Eltham, south-east London, on 30 October last year.
Ricky Woodford, 42, denied murder but admitted manslaughter by diminished responsibility.
He was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 12 years.
The Old Bailey heard how "caring and bubbly" Ms Smith had cried out for help and tried to ward off Woodford during a "sustained and prolonged" attack.
Prosecutor Oliver Glasgow QC stated residents heard her cries in the early hours of the morning but thought it was a regular fight.
Later that morning, after her family raised concerns, police found Woodford sitting opposite Ms Smith’s body.
A bloodied breeze block and a bible were found beside her.
Woodford appeared under the influence of drugs or suffering from a mental illness, mumbling and unsteady on his feet.
He told police he "did not intentionally kill the love of my life." A post-mortem revealed death was caused by severe blunt force head injuries with cuts from a sharp object.
The court was told Woodford had 47 convictions for 95 offences, including assaults, and had been released from a mental health unit just 10 days prior.
His family did not see the relationship as healthy, and mental health steps had been taken to prevent the couple from being together.
The court also heard that since in custody, Woodford responded to treatment and was no longer considered mentally ill.
The judge sentenced him to life with a minimum of 12 years, stating "The pain, the anger, the loss is all too apparent.
Her life is over but you still have yours and you will spend much, if not all, of that in custody."
