SURREY TEEN OBSESSED WITH TV KILLER JAILED FOR GIRLFRIEND'S MURDER
A teenage boy obsessed with a TV serial killer has been sentenced to life imprisonment for his brutal murder and dismemberment of his 17-year-old girlfriend, Elizabeth Thomas.The offender, Steven Miles, who was 17 at the time, carried out the killing at his family flat in Amy Road, Oxted, Surrey.
The court was told Miles stabbed Elizabeth to death before using tools from his father’s tree surgery business to cut her body into pieces.
He then wrapped her limbs in bin bags and disposed of them.
Miles admitted to the murder and was given a life sentence with a minimum of 25 years before he could be considered for release.
The court described the case as of 'the utmost gravity' and emphasized that 'nothing this court can say or do, no sentence this court can impose can alleviate the pain suffered by Elizabeth Thomas’ family for death in such a terrible manner.' The story highlighted Miles's obsession with a fictional TV serial killer, Dexter, and his fascination with horror movies, which was seen as a contributing factor.
Psychiatric reports indicated Miles had narcissistic personality traits and was possibly on the autism spectrum, with the mental health experts describing his 'voice' as likely a manifestation of anxiety rather than schizophrenia.
The court heard Miles told his family that a voice named Ed in his head 'made him do something bad' and that he used tools from his father’s business to dismember his girlfriend, which he later admitted.
His prior history included self-harm and some indication of previous violent tendencies, including an attempt to strangle a former girlfriend.
Elizabeth Thomas was a well-regarded student who grew up in West Wickham and was attending Oxted School for her A-Levels when she was murdered.
