Attacker jailed for murder a decade on
A KILLER from Yorkshire has been sentenced to a life term for murdering his partner after she died more than a decade following the brutal attack which left her needing round-the-clock medical care.
Christopher Keeling was last night once again back behind bars after he had served an initial jail sentence for trying to kill Ann Robinson 17 years ago.
Keeling was jailed for 14 years in 2001 after he attacked Ms Robinson in Wheatley, Doncaster, in 2000.
The 58-year-old defendant has now been handed a life sentence at Sheffield Crown Court after Ms Robinson died in 2014 as a result of Keeling’s attack.
Detectives from South Yorkshire Police admitted bringing the charge of murder could be deemed an “unusual step” after the period of time that had elapsed since the attack, but stressed an “extensive medical assessment” had been conducted to establish Ms Robinson’s death could be directly linked to the assault.
A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police said Ms Robinson suffered “significant and lifethreatening injuries” and was left needing 24-hour care after the attack at her home in Truro Avenue on December 28, 2000.
In 2001, Keeling, of Selby Road in Thorne, was found guilty of attempted murder and jailed for 14 years, of which he served seven years.
Ms Robinson died at the age of 58 in hospital in March 2014 and Keeling was charged with murder after a post-mortem examination found that her death was directly linked to the assault.
He pleaded guilty at a hearing on Thursday and was sentenced yesterday to a life term.
He will serve a minimum of 18 years, less the time he served previously for the attempted murder.
Detective Constable Ian Honeybone, of South Yorkshire Police, said: “Since Ann’s death in March 2014, we have worked closely with medical professionals, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Attorney General’s Office to build a case to prosecute Keeling for Ann’s murder.
“This may seem like an unusual step but extensive medical assessment concluded that the brutal and sustained attack on Ann in December 2000 significantly contributed to her death in March 2014. Her health was forever changed as a result of Keeling’s actions that night.
“Ann survived extensive injuries but needed round-the-clock care and medical support. I am pleased Keeling has finally accepted responsibility for his actions but this does not bring Ann back and the guilty plea will be small consolation to her loved ones after 17 years of pain.”