TAYE FRANCIS SENTENCED FOR MURDER OF GREENWICH WOMAN IN HOTEL TRAGEDY

A man with a disturbing history of violence and abuse, Taye Francis, has been handed a severe prison sentence after being convicted of the murder of his girlfriend in Greenwich. The incident, which took place in a hotel room, culminated in a tragic loss of life and has left the local community shaken.

Francis, aged 40 and without a fixed address, was found guilty of murder at the Old Bailey after a trial that revealed the extent of his violent past. Although he initially admitted to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, the court ultimately convicted him of murder. The court proceedings painted a grim picture of Francis as a man described by witnesses and legal professionals as “self-obsessed,” with a long history of criminal behavior, including convictions for rape and acts of violence.

The fatal incident occurred last July in a Premier Inn hotel located in Greenwich. According to court reports, Francis attacked his 23-year-old girlfriend, Khloemae Loy, in the hotel room. The attack was brutal and culminated in Francis stabbing her in the neck, resulting in her immediate death. In a disturbing display of remorse or perhaps a further indication of his mental state, Francis sent a photograph of her lifeless body to his lawyer, accompanied by the message, “I’ve killed my girlfriend.” Shortly after, he contacted emergency services by calling 999.

Judge Mark Lucraft QC, presiding over the case, highlighted Ms. Loy’s vulnerability and her history of violence against women, which was considered a significant factor in the court’s sentencing decision. The prosecution, led by Kate Lumsdon QC, described Francis as a violent individual addicted to steroids, suffering from a severe personality disorder, and with a pattern of attacking women over the years. The court heard about previous incidents dating back to 2002, with further attacks reported in 2013, 2016, and 2017.

Khloemae Loy, a student at Croydon College, had met Francis while working at a pub. She had confided in her parents about his controlling and aggressive behavior, revealing that he had lied about his age, employment, and educational background. On the day before her death, she canceled plans with her mother, indicating her unease or fear. The night of the murder, Francis was found outside her home, having thrown her belongings out of a window and subsequently being hospitalized in an induced coma after attempting to harm himself by hanging.

Her parents described Khloemae as a bubbly young woman who had endured five years of abuse at Francis’s hands. Detective Sergeant Quinn Cutler emphasized the ongoing pattern of aggression and domestic abuse inflicted by Francis, underscoring the importance of addressing and never tolerating such violence. The court sentenced Francis to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 23 years, citing his dangerous nature and extensive history of violence. The judge also acknowledged the profound impact on Ms. Loy’s family and expressed hope that the sentence would serve as a warning to others, aiming to prevent similar tragedies in the future.