‘Ferocious’ grandad killer is first to be sentenced on TV
AN OLD Bailey judge yesterday became the first in history to sentence a killer live on television.
Sarah Munro QC was filmed in court as she jailed the 25-year-old to life for the “ferocious” killing of his grandfather. The footage was broadcast on news channels and made available online through Sky News, the BBC, ITN and the PA news agency, all of whom campaigned for filming in courts.
Judge Munro sentenced Ben Oliver to serve a minimum of 10 years and eight months for the manslaughter of his 74-year-old grandfather David Oliver, in Mottingham, south London, on Jan 19 last year. Oliver, who suffers from autistic spectrum disorder, had been cleared of murder but admitted manslaughter due to diminished responsibility.
Judge Munro, sitting in black robes and a wig with the cameras focused solely on her, explained there were strong aggravating reasons for her decision to impose a life term.
These included the vulnerability of his grandfather and the suffering imposed on his victim. The attack was a “conscious decision”, she said, with 21 stab wounds to the face.