Robert Alexander, 66, has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 20 years for the murder of his wife, Christina Alexander, 60. The fatal attack occurred in June of the previous year at their home in Tamworth, just as Ms. Alexander was preparing to leave their six-year marriage. Jurors unanimously convicted Alexander of murder in June of this year following a 14-day trial.
During the trial, the court heard that Ms. Alexander sustained "catastrophic" injuries to her face, neck, body, arms, and legs, with a post-mortem examination also revealing signs of strangulation. Alexander had told police he had "disposed of" his wife, initially claiming she had attacked him first with a knife. He later testified that he could not recall the events after being hit and "lost the plot."
Judge Avik Mukherjee stated that evidence indicated Alexander was aware his wife intended 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 Alexander.
The court was informed that Alexander, a retired mechanic, had a previous conviction for battery against Ms. Alexander in September 2020. A year later, she had reported to the police that she was "living under constant physical threat" and was financially dependent on her husband. She had expressed to her sister her desire to end the marriage, stating, "the sooner he is out of my life the better," but also ominously added, "I'll probably be dead before then."
In the days leading up to the murder, Alexander reportedly engaged in self-harm twice in an apparent effort to prevent his wife from leaving. He then allegedly deceived her into believing he was still hospitalized, ambushing her with a kitchen knife as she returned to their home on June 23 last year and attempted to depart.
Prosecutor Rebecca Wade KC described the murder as the culmination of a period of "controlling and coercive behaviour and sustained violence towards his wife." The prosecutor characterized Alexander's self-harm attempts as "purely manipulative," suggesting he was preoccupied with money and the protection of his inheritance.
Alexander, who received a late diagnosis of autism, contended that the condition had influenced his actions. However, the sentencing judge remarked that autism does not inherently lead to violent behavior.
In a victim impact statement, Ms. Alexander's brother, Neil Murphy, described her as the "main piece of their family jigsaw." He recalled her role as a supportive figure to her younger siblings and her willingness to help others, including himself during his diagnosis with multiple sclerosis. He conveyed the family's struggle to recall happy memories due to the horrific nature of her death, stating, "I think of Tina's last living moments being attacked in such a cold and callous way. It chills me to the bone."
The judge acknowledged the profound grief of Ms. Alexander's family and friends, describing their loss as "shattering."
Detective Superintendent Charlotte Naughton, who led the investigation, stated that "Christina's life was violently ended too soon" and expressed hope that the investigation would provide some closure for her loved ones. She emphasized that domestic abuse remains a pervasive crime and that Warwickshire Police are committed to taking action against perpetrators of abuse and violence.