Loughton & Buckhurst Hill
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BUCKHURST HILL: Killer's jail term cut
A MAN who stabbed his partner to death in front of their six-year-old son has had his minimum jail term cut after a judge praised his "exemplary" behaviour behind bars.
Mr Justice Pitchford said Walton Miller, now 49, was now "not recognisable" as the aggressive, drug-addicted and self-absorbed thug who murdered Samantha Barbour in May 1998.
Describing his progress in prison as "remarkable", the judge said he had developed a "consuming interest in music" and learnt to play the saxophone.
Involved in charity work, Miller's "exceptional artistic endeavour" had earned him an award from the Hardman Trust.
The judge rewarded Miller for his good work by cutting his minimum jail term from 15 years to 13 - with the result that he can ask the Parole Board to free him in early 2011.
Miller was convicted of Miss Barbour's murder in January 1999 and was jailed for life.
A two-timing drug addict, with five children by three different women, Miller killed Miss Barbour at her home in Loughton Way in Buckhurst Hill, on May 8, 1998.
After an argument, Miller dragged his victim downstairs to the kitchen where he stabbed her a total of nine times, using two knives as well as a carving fork.
The killing was witnessed by their six-year-old son, whose attempt to call the police was thwarted by his murderous father.
After his conviction, the Home Secretary decided the minimum Miller deserved for the frenzied killing was 15 years.
However, Mr Justice Pitchford reduced the sentence on Friday after reviewing the case at London's Royal Courts of Justice.
Miller's lawyers argued there had been "a degree of provocation" in the case and that he had "lost control".
They also pointed to his troubled childhood.
But what swayed Mr Justice Pitchford was Miller's progress in custody, which the judge described as "exemplary".
He has remained drug-free throughout his sentence and his supervisors are universally impressed with him.
The judge said: "It is plain that Miller is not recognisable as the aggressive, addicted, self-absorbed individual who behaved with such cruel violence on May 2 1998.
"I accept that he has made such exceptional progress that I should give effect to it in my review."
Once Miller's tariff expires, he will be freed if he can convince the Parole Board it is safe to do so.
When released, he will remain on perpetual life licence, subject to prison recall if he commits another crime.
4:03pm Monday 28th April 2008
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