SAMANTHA FORD FROM MARGATE SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR TRAGIC TWIN MURDERS IN KENT
A woman convicted of drowning her twin children in a bath as an act of revenge against her estranged husband has been sentenced to ten years in prison.Samantha Ford, aged 38, was responsible for the deaths of 23-month-old Jake and Chloe on December 26, following her separation from Steven Ford.
Although she denied murder charges, the prosecution at the Old Bailey accepted her earlier plea of guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
Judge Mr Justice Edis ordered that Ford begin her sentence in a psychiatric facility.
After undergoing mental health treatment, she will serve her prison term.
The judge remarked that the emotional horror of the incident was evident and required no further explanation, urging the public to imagine what might have transpired in that bathroom.
He noted that the children probably did not die at exactly the same time, implying the act took considerable time and determination.
The judge highlighted that Ford’s actions were heavily influenced by her anger towards her husband, stating that she was 'preoccupied' with him and acknowledging that she knew her actions would devastate him, which he believed was a significant motive.
Following the tragedy, the twins' bodies were discovered in a residence in Margate, Kent, after Ford had attempted to end her life by driving at approximately 100mph into the back of a lorry without wearing a seatbelt.
During police interviews, she admitted: 'I've killed my babies.
Please let me die.' Prosecutors revealed that her anger stemmed from her dissatisfaction with her move from an affluent life in Qatar to a rented house in Charing, Kent, last year.
The couple separated in November, with Ford relocating to a rented property on Castle Drive, Margate.
Prosecutor Tom Kark QC stated that Ford was deeply upset about the breakup and disliked the prospect of becoming a single mother.
A psychiatrist testified that her children’s murders were an act of retaliation and punishment directed toward Mr.
Ford.
In a victim impact statement previously read out, Steven Ford described the killings as 'the most heinous, spiteful act on two innocent children,' asserting he believed Ford intended both to end her life and to punish him.
Following the sentencing, Steven Ford expressed his feelings on social media through an account believed to be managed by him, describing himself as 'devastated, disgusted and appalled' by the ten-year sentence and urging Boris Johnson to implement tougher punishments.
