A man from Deptford has been handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 42 years after murdering his pregnant girlfriend in a gruesome knife attack in Walthamstow in July while he was on licence for previous murder in 2001.
Shaine March, 45, of Rainsborough Avenue in Deptford, pleaded guilty to the murder of 32-year-old Alana Odysseos at the Old Bailey on Friday, 17 October.
He was sentenced on Friday, 31 October, at the same court.
March was on licence for the murder of 17-year-old Andre Drummond in Camberwell 25 years ago. March, then aged 21, was given a life prison sentence after he stabbed the teeenage in the neck at a McDonald’s restaurant in Denmark Hill, in January 2000, but in 2013 he was released, only to be recalled to jail again later that year for assaulting his then-pregnant girlfriend. He was released again in 2018.
Alana who was already a mother and was eight weeks pregnant, died outside her home on Lynmouth Road in Walthamstow on Tuesday 22 July after she was stabbed 19 times by March.
Detective Inspector Aytac Necati, who led the investigation, said: “Alana was a victim of appalling domestic abuse. She was a vulnerable young woman who only ever wanted to be loved and create a secure family environment for her daughter before her life was cruelly taken by March.
“Alana had also recently found out she was pregnant, something March was unhappy with. This led to an escalation in the controlling and coercive behaviour Alana endured during their short relationship.”
In a statement, Alana’s family said: “All of our lives have been drastically changed by the actions of this individual.
“This should never have been allowed to happen. A life sentence should mean life, with no parole or time off for good behaviour.
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“Because of this, Alana’s daughter will never experience the milestones of a mother-daughter existence, she will never have her mother watch her in a school play, to see her go to a school prom, to shed tears at her wedding, or get to see her mother cuddling and loving her grandchildren.
“We would like to thank the police and CPS team for their hard, diligent work in bringing this person to justice, and reaffirming our hope, trust and belief in the judiciary system.
“We, as a family, would now like to grieve in private, and hope that this wish is fulfilled.”
The emergency services discovered Alana outside her Walthamstow home with multiple stab wounds after they received multiple 999 calls.
Despite the best efforts of the police and the London Ambulance Services Alana sadly died at the scene from her injuries.
Just before 11pm on the night of Alana’s death, neighbours said they had heard an argument between Alana and Shaine March. Later that night, she emerged from the property holding her side and shouting “Shaine stabbed me” before collapsing.
March was seen leaving the house and fled the scene.
A blood-stained knife was found by officers near the front door of Alana’s home – later identified as the one used in the attack – and upon entering, they found her two-year-old daughter inside.
A search for March began, and at around 04:40 am, police received a call from staff at a nearby café reporting a man inside covered in blood and claiming he had just killed his wife and child. March was arrested a short time later.
CCTV evidence and witness statements were crucial in proving March had been in the house leading up to the attack and was ultimately responsible for Alana’s death, and in the early hours of Tuesday, 23 July, he was charged with Alana’s murder.
Detective Inspector Aytac Necati, who led the investigation, said: “Alana was a victim of appalling domestic abuse. She was a vulnerable young woman who only ever wanted to be loved and create a secure family environment for her daughter before her life was cruelly taken by March.
“Alana had also recently found out she was pregnant, something March was unhappy with. This led to an escalation in the controlling and coercive behaviour Alana endured during their short relationship.
“March is a cowardly individual, who has shown absolutely no remorse for Alana or her family. I hope this lengthy sentence will provide loved ones with some comfort, knowing March is rightly facing the consequences of his actions.
“This case shows the devastating impact domestic abuse has on victim-survivors, families and communities. I urge anyone who experiences domestic abuse or controlling behaviour to report it to police. Our officers will listen and will support you.”
To commit Murder, while out on Licence, for Murder … Should Mean A Death Sentence.
This farce of ”Justice” has continued for too long.
How many murders commited by Convicted Criminals, ‘Out On Licence’ since 1965?
We were told, on Abolition, that: ”Life Will Mean Life”; another Great Lie to go with all the others told by Government.