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Double murderer David Oakes dies in hospital | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A 51-year-old "monster" convicted of shooting dead his partner and their daughter has died in hospital. | A 51-year-old "monster" convicted of shooting dead his partner and their daughter has died in hospital. |
David Oakes shot Christine Chambers, 38, and daughter Shania, two, at their home in Braintree in June 2011. | David Oakes shot Christine Chambers, 38, and daughter Shania, two, at their home in Braintree in June 2011. |
Oakes, of Steeple, near Maldon, was found guilty by a Chelmsford Crown Court jury last May and sentenced to a whole-life term. | Oakes, of Steeple, near Maldon, was found guilty by a Chelmsford Crown Court jury last May and sentenced to a whole-life term. |
Imprisoned at Durham's HMP Frankland, he died in hospital on Monday of presumed natural causes. | Imprisoned at Durham's HMP Frankland, he died in hospital on Monday of presumed natural causes. |
His death will be investigated by the Independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman. | His death will be investigated by the Independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman. |
Oakes' best man Ian Flitt said he had mixed emotions about Oakes' death, thought to be from cancer. | Oakes' best man Ian Flitt said he had mixed emotions about Oakes' death, thought to be from cancer. |
"He was a monster. But I remember him being my best mate as well. | "He was a monster. But I remember him being my best mate as well. |
Degrading assault | Degrading assault |
"It [his death] is welcome news and the end to a sad saga. | "It [his death] is welcome news and the end to a sad saga. |
"His death is probably the best thing for everybody concerned, including him [Oakes]." | "His death is probably the best thing for everybody concerned, including him [Oakes]." |
The trial jury at Chelmsford in 2012 heard he had subjected Miss Chambers to a degrading assault lasting several hours. | The trial jury at Chelmsford in 2012 heard he had subjected Miss Chambers to a degrading assault lasting several hours. |
Drunk and on cocaine, he shot his daughter at point-blank range and shot Miss Chambers three times, before turning the gun on himself. | Drunk and on cocaine, he shot his daughter at point-blank range and shot Miss Chambers three times, before turning the gun on himself. |
Prosecutor Orlando Pownall QC said: "He succeeded in the first part of his ambitions but failed in his attempt on his own life." | Prosecutor Orlando Pownall QC said: "He succeeded in the first part of his ambitions but failed in his attempt on his own life." |
Oakes and Miss Chambers had been due in court as part of the custody arrangements for Shania at the time of the killings. | Oakes and Miss Chambers had been due in court as part of the custody arrangements for Shania at the time of the killings. |
Miss Chambers' other daughter, then aged 10, witnessed the attack but escaped out of a window to her father Mr Flitt's house nearby. | Miss Chambers' other daughter, then aged 10, witnessed the attack but escaped out of a window to her father Mr Flitt's house nearby. |
'Bullying and controlling' | 'Bullying and controlling' |
Oakes was found semi-conscious after blasting himself in the face and was taken to hospital. | Oakes was found semi-conscious after blasting himself in the face and was taken to hospital. |
His whole life sentence made him one of a limited group of inmates who would never be released from prison. | His whole life sentence made him one of a limited group of inmates who would never be released from prison. |
Mr Justice Fulford described Oakes as "a bullying and controlling man, who had frequently inflicted violence on Miss Chambers during the six years of their relationship". | Mr Justice Fulford described Oakes as "a bullying and controlling man, who had frequently inflicted violence on Miss Chambers during the six years of their relationship". |
"He killed his ex-partner and their young daughter simply because he knew she could not bear to be with him and wished to start a new life." | "He killed his ex-partner and their young daughter simply because he knew she could not bear to be with him and wished to start a new life." |
In November, the Court of Appeal refused to quash the whole-life order imposed on the killer. | In November, the Court of Appeal refused to quash the whole-life order imposed on the killer. |
He was one of several inmates who argued such orders were incompatible with Article 3 of the European Convention of Human Rights, which prohibits torture and inhuman or degrading treatment and punishment. | He was one of several inmates who argued such orders were incompatible with Article 3 of the European Convention of Human Rights, which prohibits torture and inhuman or degrading treatment and punishment. |