Man jailed for life for Victoria Tomsett murder
by Keith Hunt
A thug who subjected his partner to repeated beatings has
been jailed for life after a jury convicted him of murdering
her.
Steven Stallion smirked as he was led away to start a minimum
sentence of 14 years.
Judge Jeremy Carey told
him that as an epileptic and chronic alcoholic, victim Victoria
Tomsett was vulnerable and deserved his protection.
He said: "Instead, because of your violent temper and bullying
nature you set about her, by no means for the first time, but on
this occasion with a purpose."
The jury of eight women and four men returned a unanimous
verdict on Friday after deliberating for just over five hours.
Maidstone Crown Court heard Stallion, also an alcoholic, punched
Miss Tomsett at least seven times to her head and face at their
Dartford home, causing bleeding to the brain.
Stallion called the emergency services shortly after midnight on
October 20, 2007 saying Miss Tomsett must have suffered an
epileptic fit and fallen out of bed. But the victim had been dead
some time.
Paramedics arrived at the flat at Sheridan Court in St Edmunds
Road, Temple Hill, to find the 36-year-old divorced mother-of-one
lying naked on her stomach on the bedroom floor.
- For the full report pick up a copy
of next Thursday's Dartford Messenger.
Friday, July 03 2009