A TEENAGER with a fixation for horror movies fatally stabbed and partially dismembered his girlfriend, a court heard.
Steven Miles, now 17, of Amy Road, Oxted, was today sentenced to lifetime imprisonment, with a minimum of 25 years, for the murder of Elizabeth Thomas, 17, on January 24. Miles was 16 at the time.
He stabbed her in the torso and also in the head, where the knife remained embedded in her skull. She was 17. The pair were classmates at Oxted School sixth form, where they studied politics together.
A sentencing hearing at Guildford Crown Court this morning, heard how Miles, who had previously pleaded guilty to the murder, was obsessed with the TV character Dexter, who was a serial killer. He was also very devoted to films such as Donnie Darko and Psycho.
Guildford Crown Court heard that when psychiatric reports were being carried out, Miles was found to be reading the Hannibal Lecter trilogy.
Lewis Power, mitigating, described the violent attack as: "chilling, blood-curdling and sustained, resulting in the cruel death of a kind and innocent young girl who trusted and befriended him."
Before the 40 minute hearing today, judge Christopher Critchlow warned that anyone of a nervous disposition should not remain in the court because "the details are extremely unsettling".
Senior Investigating Officer Detective, Chief Inspector Claire Pridgeon of the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team, said: "This was a horrific, premeditated and thoroughly planned murder of an innocent young woman who had her whole life ahead of her.
"The murder of Elizabeth Thomas sent shockwaves through the close-knit town of Oxted, an impact which is still felt today and no doubt will continue to do so for some time and officers from the Tandridge Safer Neighbourhood Team will continue to work closely with the community.
"Nothing will ever bring back Elizabeth but I hope the sentence handed today will bring some form of closure to Elizabeth's family and friends and our thoughts continue to be with them at this extremely difficult time."
