Man jailed for life after murdering girlfriend

2 hours ago

Sarah PingSouth of England

Norbert Maiksner from Havant has been jailed for life for murdering his girlfriend, Frances Obiefuleh

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary A custody photo of a man with brown hair and wearing a grey jumper — Norbert Maiksner from Havant has been jailed for life for murdering his girlfriend, Frances Obiefuleh

A man has been jailed for life with a minimum of 24 years for murdering his girlfriend.

Norbert Maiksner, 49, suffocated 45-year-old Frances Obiefuleh by wrapping tape around her face in Havant, Hampshire, in April last year.

He was sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court on Monday after a jury at the same court on Friday found him guilty of murder and child cruelty.

Her body was discovered after Maiksner was found by a highways officer walking on the hard shoulder of the M40 in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, and told them to call the police to tell them what he had done.

Frances Obiefuleh's family described her as "kind, intelligent, and resourceful"

Handout Frances has black braided hair and brown eyes. She is smiling and looking into the distance. She wears gold earrings and a gold necklace. — Frances Obiefuleh's family described her as "kind, intelligent, and resourceful"

A spokesperson from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said Maiksner told officers that he had killed Obiefuleh and "stated that it was all a dream and that he wanted to wake up".

His two-week trial started on 15 March but the force said Maiksner refused to attend court or engage in the proceedings.

Paul Cavin KC, prosecuting, told the court that a post-mortem examination revealed she died of smothering with injuries caused by compression of the neck and chest.

Following the verdict Obiefuleh's family released a tribute, describing her as "kind, intelligent, and resourceful" and a "caring and deeply loving mother, sister, aunt, and friend to many".

"She was a devoted mother and beautiful in every sense of the word," the statement said.

A jury at Portsmouth Crown Court found Norbert Maiksner guilty of murder and child cruelty

Getty Images The front of Portsmouth Crown Court, with the words 'Courts of Justice' on the wall. — A jury at Portsmouth Crown Court found Norbert Maiksner guilty of murder and child cruelty

Detective Sergeant Heather Kenwright described Maiksner's crime as "the most heinous and evil of acts".

"He has caused such unthinkable suffering to both Frances in the last moments of her life, and to her family, who have had their loved one taken from them so brutally and must now try to rebuild their lives without her," she said in a statement.

"My thoughts remain with Frances's family, and whilst no sentence can ever truly bring them justice for the tragic loss of Frances's life, I hope it brings them some semblance of closure to know that Maiksner is now facing the consequences of his abhorrent actions."

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