PLYMOUTH MAN JAILED FOR LIFE AFTER MURDERING WIFE IN JEALOUS RAGE
A jealous husband has been imprisoned for life for stabbing his wife, Victoria Bance, to death with a ceremonial Commando dagger.The incident occurred after a night out, where Robert Bance, aged 53, was heavily intoxicated and used the 17-centimeter long dagger, a gift from the Royal Marines, which he kept in their bedroom within easy reach.
The court heard that Victoria had suffered 23 stab wounds, including 14 deep to the chest, any of which could have been fatal.
Bance admitted calling the police to confess, stating: "I have just killed my wife," after the murder.
However, minutes earlier, he had lied to call handlers, claiming nothing was wrong, even though Victoria could be heard shouting her address in the background during a 999 call.
The murder followed a row when Bance saw Victoria talking to another man in a Barbican pub.
He stormed off, leaving her with no phone or money, and later experienced a confrontation at their home where Victoria made a final 999 call.
Bance strangled Victoria in a rage, and police found her lying on their bed, with a slight pulse, but she was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The court described the murder as a "cold and deliberate rage," with Judge Paul Darlow sentencing him to life with a minimum of 15 years before parole eligibility.
Prosecutor Simon Laws QC stated the couple had a four-year relationship that was neither particularly happy nor unhappy, with regular arguments but no prior reports of violence.
Victoria was a mother of three and had two sons aged 19 and 13 and a daughter aged 12.
She had contact with police twice but had not reported any offences; she confided to police three months prior she wanted to leave Bance but was too frightened.
Bance, who had eight children of his own, had given up his job to care for Victoria who was suffering from injuries from a previous botched operation.
Their last outing showed them smiling and holding hands, but he left her alone, and she returned home alone or via taxi.
He was reportedly drinking daily, and the court heard that Bance was remorseful, suffering "traumatic amnesia" that only allowed him to recall the first two knife blows.
His barrister described him as a "good man who made a very bad mistake."Senior police, including Detective Inspector Stephen Davies, confirmed that Bance admitted the murder immediately and did not attempt to conceal it.
The police are also investigating the conduct of officers who had contact with Victoria before her death.
Bance only spoke to plead guilty during a hearing in October of the previous year, and he showed little reaction to his sentence as he was led away in handcuffs.
