‘Too lenient’ sentence for man who killed mum during sex
THE ex wife of a man jailed for choking a mum to death during sex has condemned judges for not increasing his sentence.
Louise Howitt warned that the Court of Appeal ruling tells abusive men the “rough sex defence is valid and works” – and amounts to victim blaming.
Sam Pybus, 32, was jailed for four years and eight months after admitting the manslaughter of Sophie Moss, 33. She died at home in Darlington on February 7.
Attorney General Suella Braverman QC said the sentence was unduly lenient and referred it for the failed appeal. MP Harriet Harman is now calling for a new law to ensure men who claim the “rough sex gone wrong” defence are prosecuted for murder.
She wants a mandatory life term after yesterday’s ruling by three judges.
Louise, 29, who says her husband subjected her to
emotional abuse and sexual violence, said: “It’s extremely disappointing and doesn’t reflect the lifetime of grief he has inflicted on Sophie’s family, especially her two sons.
“It sends out a really clear message to men and women that the rough sex defence is valid and works, even though the Domestic Abuse Act was supposed to abolish it.
“It was a very lenient sentence and places the responsibility on Sophie, which is victim blaming.” Ms Harman agreed and added: “This is the ultimate victim blaming and the ultimate male excuse for domestic violence.
“The law should say if a man intends to do what it was that killed the woman – and he was doing it in the course of sexual gratification – then that is murder.”
The Labour MP said every nine months a woman is killed by a man who cites the rough sex defence.
Married Pybus said he and Sophie were in a casual relationship for three years and she encouraged him to strangle her during sex.
Lady Justice Macur, sitting with Lady Justice Carr and Mr Justice Murray, said: “We are not persuaded the judge was wrong in categorisation.”
Women’s groups said his actions were a “desperately serious, sustained assault”.
Fiona Mackenzie, of We Can’t Consent To This, said: “This could not be a clearer case to show that the law must change. Sophie Moss deserves better, and Parliament must return to this.”