Robert Alexander jailed for life for stabbing wife 77 times in Tamworth

Robert Alexander, 66, has been sentenced to life with a minimum of 20 years for the murder of nurse Christina Alexander at their Dosthill home.

Tamworth man jailed for life after stabbing wife 77 times and strangling her

A Tamworth man has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years after killing his wife in a sustained and ferocious attack, the Daily Express reports. Robert Alexander, 66, stabbed nurse Christina Alexander 77 times, strangled her and struck her with a dog food can at their home on Ascot Drive, Dosthill, in June last year.

A sentencing hearing at Stafford Crown Court on Tuesday heard that Christina, 60, suffered "catastrophic" injuries to her face, neck, body, arms and legs. Jurors unanimously convicted Alexander of murder in June this year following a 14-day trial.

After the killing, which took place in the hallway and kitchen of the couple's home, Alexander told police: "I've disposed of my wife." He later claimed in court that he had been struck in the stomach, after which he "lost the plot" and could not recall what had happened.

Passing sentence, Judge Avik Mukherjee said the evidence showed Alexander had been aware that Christina was planning to leave him. "I am sure that you intended to kill Christina due to the extent of the injuries that you inflicted upon her and also the ways in which you attacked her," the judge told him.

Alexander, who wore a grey T-shirt and stared at the floor for much of the hearing, was also told there was "no guarantee that you will be released" at the end of the minimum term or at any point thereafter.

Judge Mukherjee ruled that the murder was committed against a background of controlling and coercive behaviour, particularly in relation to finances. He described the assault on Christina as "repeated and sustained", adding: "Such was the ferocity and force of the attack that she succumbed to very serious injuries within a short period."

Personal impact statements from the victim's siblings and friends were read to the court. The judge described them as "extremely moving" and referred to Christina as the "most precious" victim. "The taking of a life is a terrible thing — not only because of the life which is cut short but because of all the other lives that are damaged as well," he said.

Source: Daily Express