Streatham News
Man who killed former girlfriend from Shirley jailed for 21 years
11:43am Monday 6th February 2012
A jilted ex-boyfriend who claimed a voice in his head told him to kill his former partner has been jailed for 21 years.
Clifford Mills of Morrish Road, Brixton, showed no emotion as he was sentenced for stabbing Shirley grandmother of three Lorna Smith.
The jury took just 90 minutes to find the 49-year-old guilty, rejecting his guilty plea to manslaughter by diminished responsibility.
Members of the public gallery shouted "rot in hell " and "it's not over yet," as they left the court.
Miss Smith, 45, who lived in Hewitt Close, Shirley, was killed after being invited to Mills' house to help him with some paperwork.
The pair, who had been in a relationship for four-years, split up in 2006 but had remained on friendly terms.
Miss Smith's body was found in Mills' flat on February 2 last year, with a plastic bag over her head and the Oasis song Stop All the Clocks playing on repeat.
The following morning, Mills handed himself in to St Thomas' Hospital telling staff 'Stan' had killed Miss Smith.
He said: "You need to call the police, Lorna's dead. Stan's killed her, Stan hates her, he killed her."
When asked who Stan was Mills replied "Stan is in my head."
During the hearing prosecutor Zoe Johnson QC, read a victim impact statement written by Miss Smith's daughter Louise Harvey.
In it she said: "I am making this statement to try and put into words the impact my mother's death has had on me and my family.
"My mother's name was Lorna Smith and I loved her with all my heart, there is not a day that goes by that I don't think about her.
"When my mum was killed I was nearly three months pregnant, I was so happy and told mum straight away.
"On September 6, I had a baby girl Kiara. Words cannot describe the anguish I feel that mum was not here to see her and Kiara will never know her.
"I have mum's ashes at home with me as I want to feel close to her.
"I know the injuries she sustained and I struggle to get these images out of my head-sometimes I have nightmares.
"My only hope is that justice can be done so my beloved mum can rest in peace."
The court heard Mills, who was sat in a wheelchair in the well of the court, had been on hunger strike in prison which had led to a deterioration in his health.
Jailing Mills, The Common Sergeant of London, Brian Barker QC, said he had intended to kill Miss Smith after luring her to his house.
He said: "This was a shocking waste of a productive and loyal life.
"In my view despite your problems this was a crime arising out of jealousy and anger and you sought to evade your responsibility.
"The fact is this was a terrible act and I have no doubt you intended to kill her.
"She suffered before she died and you must take responsibility for your actions.
"I am moved by the words of Louise Harvey who has lost a mother and loving grandmother to her children.
"She still has nightmares about the fear and pain her mother felt.
"Nothing I can say can turn the clock back but I am sure she will not be forgotten."