Dad to serve 27 years for murdering daughter (8)

A MAN has been jailed for life for stabbing his eight-year-old daughter to death in a “revenge” attack aimed at causing pain to her mother.

William Billingham was told he must serve at least 27 years for the “brutal and cowardly” murder of Mylee Billingham, whom he dragged into his bungalow after her mother came to collect her.

The 55-year-old, who will be in his early 80s before he can be considered for release, was said by his barrister to have no desire to live due to his remorse over the killing.

Passing sentence at Birmingham Crown Court, Judge Paul Farrer QC ruled that Billingham had killed his daughter out of “jealousy and anger” after his ex-partner, Tracey Taundry, began a new, same-sex relationship.

The father-of-six — brother of TV’s SAS Who Dares Wins star Mark Billingham — was given a two-year concurrent jail term for holding a knife to the throat of Miss Taundry before the murder, as she called at his home near Walsall.

Before the life sentence was handed down, a victim impact statement from Ms Taundry was read into the court record.

Her statement said Billingham had committed a selfish, cruel and despicable act and taken away the family’s “perfect gift” for no good reason.

Ms Taundry said: “Mylee was brutally taken from us by a man who was supposed to protect and care for her. None of us will ever get over what has happened.”