A man who stabbed City banker John Monckton to death during a robbery at his home has been jailed for a minimum of 36 years in Britain

BBC News:

Damien Hanson, 25, was handed three life sentences at the Old Bailey for murdering the 46-year-old in Chelsea, west London, in November 2004.

He was also convicted of attempting to murder Mr Monckton's wife Homeyra.

His co-accused Elliot White, 24, was jailed for 18 years for manslaughter, wounding with intent and robbery.

White, of Shepherd's Bush, west London, posed as a postman with a parcel to trick Mr Monckton into opening the front door of his three storey home in Upper Cheyne Row.

Then, wearing a balaclava and armed with a gun and a knife, Hanson burst into the house, stabbing Mr Monckton in the heart and lung, and his wife twice in the back.

They stole jewellery worth around £4,000 and left Mr Monckton dead and his wife fighting for her life.

After sentencing the pair on Friday, Mr Justice Calvert-Smith paid tribute to the courage of Mrs Monckton and the couple's daughter who had witnessed part of the attack.

He said: "I commend the courage of Mrs Monckton and their daughter, during their ordeal and since, and hope the end of this trial will be of assistance."

Hanson carried out the murder three months after being let out of jail half way through a 12-year sentence for attempted murder.

At the time of the robbery, White was out on bail awaiting a court appearance on heroin and cocaine charges.

An inquiry was ordered by Home Secretary Charles Clarke into how the two were free to kill and a report is expected within weeks.

Judge Calvert-Smith told Hanson: "During the last 12 months of that sentence you began to plan your next crime."

"You collected newspaper articles and other information on the rich and successful and on the valuation and sale of diamonds."

He said one potential target, who was spotted by Hanson wearing valuable jewellery and driving an expensive car, had escaped because "fortunately for her she did not live in London".

After enlisting the support of White, they "fixed" on Mrs Monckton as their victim.

Hanson was convicted of Mr Monckton's murder, of attempting to murder his wife Homeyra and robbery in December last year.

White was convicted of Mr Monckton's manslaughter and of wounding his wife with intent.

He had pleaded guilty to robbery and was cleared of murder and attempted murder.

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