Life imprisonment for premeditated murder

14/10/2010

Jonathan Vass was sentenced to life imprisonment at Preston Crown Court today for the murder of his ex-partner Jane Clough on 25th July at Blackpool Victoria Hospital where she worked as a nurse. His Honour Judge Russell ordered that he serve a minimum of 30 years in prison before being eligible for parole.

After the sentencing hearing Neil Standage, Area Crown Prosecutor at Lancashire Crown Prosecution Service said:

"On the day that Jane Clough was murdered, Jonathan Vass armed himself with a knife.  He waited in the car park of Blackpool Victoria Hospital for her to arrive for work, before confronting her and brutally killing her.  Her murder was premeditated and calculated, and the way that he left her for dead and casually walked away from the scene defies belief.  His actions on that day were a terrible culmination of the violent and controlling behaviour that he had subjected her to during their relationship.

"Jonathan Vass killed Jane because he realised that she was determined to go ahead with the court case for the rape and assault charges and give evidence against him.  The judge has reflected in his sentence the fact that he was on bail awaiting trial for these offences when he killed her and that he committed the murder in order to avoid the trial.  Although he begins a life sentence today and will not even be considered for parole for at least 30 years, any sentence passed in these circumstances can never reflect the loss that Jane's family and friends are suffering, and the devastating impact of his actions on their lives.  Today's hearing will have been extremely difficult and distressing for them, and I offer them my very sincere sympathies."