By Adela Whittingham

The father of twin babies drowned in the bath by their mother told a court of his "indescribable shock and pain" and how he now blames himself for their death after dropping them off just hours before they were killed.

Steven Ford says he believes their deaths were the "ultimate punishment" from his ex-partner, Samantha Ford, who is facing sentence for the manslaughter of 23-month-old Jake and Chloe Ford in Margate last Boxing Day.

Ford, 38, has admitted manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility and is due to find out her sentence when the hearing continues at the Old Bailey next week.

Prosecutor Ed Brown QC read a statement from Mr Ford to the judge in court today.

He said: "The total shock and pain is indescribable. In that moment my life had changed in a heartbeat.

"My two beautiful babies were healthy, bright and loving children who had everything to live for.

"Being twins they were a real double act. They were quite individual in their personalities, but were also aware of each other's presence.

"I have no doubt they would have been wonderful people.

"Jake and Chloe were wanted babies. Samantha and I went through four attempts of IVF and years of heartache.

"I have night terrors - these have become more frequent in recent weeks and happened in the middle of the night. I wake myself up screaming or throwing items within my reach in my bedroom.

"I find these incidents particularly disturbing. Sometimes in the morning when I get out of bed I get out on autopilot and go to the twins room to get them up.

"Over the last few months I have been troubled with suicidal thoughts, thinking about hanging myself; although I think about the impact it would have on my parents and my family. Sometimes I feel like I can't live like this.

"I find myself speculating what their last minutes were like. I suspect they were terrified, confused and suffering.

"I feel like I should have been able to protect them even though I know I couldn't have."

Ford's defence barrister says she was suffering from a "catastrophic level" of depression as a result of the breakdown of her marriage but was a "devoted mother" to the twins.

Hours after killing Jake and Chloe, Ford drove her Ford Galaxy into the back of a lorry while not wearing a seatbelt in an apparent suicide attempt.

But Mr Ford explained he felt his ex-wife's actions were the "ultimate punishment" and "extreme version" of her character - which the court previously heard was for her to be emotionally controlling.

He said: "At the time of their deaths I was at home watching a film. It pains me every day.

"I should have known something was wrong; 27 minutes is all it took for her to commit the most heinous spiteful act on two innocent defenceless children.

"I have no doubt in my mind she has done this with the intention of ending her life and hurting me in the process. I know her character and how she behaves when things don't go in her way.

"I understand she was in a depressive state and also struggling emotionally. But I think she still knew what was right from wrong.

"How I wish I had never taken them back to her. I only did this because I thought every mum deserves to be with their kids.

"I should have known something was wrong; 27 minutes is all it took for her to commit the most heinous spiteful act on two innocent defenceless children..." Steven Ford

"I believe what happened here is an extreme version of her character. Like a tantrum. She knew it was the ultimate punishment."

He added: "Jake and Chloe have been cheated of their lives.

"I feel cheated and angry that I will never see the magic of watching them grow and enjoy their lives.

"I know this will be something I will never got over as long as I live. I'm completely helpless in this situation and I don't know what to do."

Brenda Campbell QC, defending Ford, said: "Mrs Ford has been entirely devastated by her own actions and is cognisant she has devastated many others in the process.

"Nothing that I say in the course of this mitigation should be thought to undermine the unspeakable hurt and grief that the entire section of family are feeling at the moment.

"What happened to Jake and Chloe happened in the middle of a marital breakdown which was difficult.

"Samantha Ford was a devoted mother to Chloe and to Jake Ford. The children were loved and cared for by her and she very much put their interests of their wellbeing above anything else, above herself and probably above her marital relationship.

"The children were very much wanted babies and when they came along. Mrs Ford sought nothing but to nurture and protect them every single day. She was preoccupied that her children had the best possible childhood.

"She suffered a catastrophic level of depression leading her to believe that she and the children needed to die."

The sentencing hearing, which may conclude next week, continues.

To read more of our in depth coverage of all of the major trials coming out of crown and magistrates' courts across the county, click here.

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