AN ARMY medic who stabbed his ex-girlfriend to death while she was strapped into her car seat by her seatbelt will not get an extension on his prison sentence.
Christopher Minards, 36, was told he would serve a minimum of 16 years and two months in jail for the murder of Emma McArthur in Thatcham on April 1.
He was sentenced at Reading Crown Court on September 23 but the Attorney General argued his sentence was ‘unduly lenient’ due to the force he used the knife to stab Ms McArthur with, her vulnerability having been sitting in a car seat, and their relationship as former partners.
read more: Christopher Minards sentenced to life in prison
At a hearing held at the Court of Appeal this morning, Lady Justice Nicola Davies refused the application to extend Minards’ stint behind bars.
She claimed Mrs Justice Moulder, who originally sentenced the offender earlier this year, had correctly applied the legal framework to Minard’s sentence.
She said: “We have concluded that the sentence can not be described as unduly lenient.”
Prior to making her decision, the court heard how mother-of-two Emma had been in a ‘vulnerable’ position when Minards attacked her, as she was strapped into a car seat by a seat belt.
The court heard how Minards had been armed with a ‘suicide kit’ including a knife, rope and a can of petrol before launching his attack on Ms McArthur.
READ MORE: Appeal to extend Christopher Minards' prison sentence
The pair had been in a relationship since June 2019 but he moved out in January 2021, after which his mental health deteriorated.
Minards, who suffered PTSD from his time serving as an army combat medic in Iraq, was admitted to hospital after becoming suicidal but was later released.
The Newbury man and McArthur went out for food on April 1 before the victim drove her former partner home at 11.30pm.
Minards, who had previous convictions for affray and battery, then stabbed Ms McArthur six times before flagging down passers by to help try and resuscitate her.
He told responders that he was an army medic and offered to help with medical assistance.
Despite CPR being applied to Ms McArthur, the mother-of-two was pronounced dead at 00.47 hours.
Upon being arrested at the scene of the incident, Minards told police he had intended to kill himself that day.
Appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, Mr Oliver Glasgow QC said Mrs Justice Moulder’s ‘mistake’ in her original sentence at Reading Crown Court was ‘not to recognise the use of a knife’ in passing her sentence.
He said: “This was a frenzied attack on the deceased where a weapon was used to attack her in the most vulnerable of places.
“The sentence that was imposed and the minimum term was not long enough.”
Defending for Minards, Mr Christopher Blake said there was no disagreement that the attack on Ms McArthur was ‘of some ferocity’.
But he said that the original sentence had been passed ‘carefully’ and ‘methodically’.
After a short break, Lady Justice Nicola Davies refused the Attorney General’s application to extend Minards sentence.
She said: “This was a difficult sentencing exercise for the judge.
“The sentencing remarks of the judge carefully followed the provisions of the Sentencing Act 2020.
“It is clear that the judge demonstrated insight and detail into the circumstances of the offence.”
The court heard that Mrs Justice Moulder considered the ferocity of the attack, the offender’s mental health background, the fact he did not bring a knife with him intending to kill Ms McArthuer and his previous convictions in passing her sentence in September.
Lady Justice Davies added: “We have concluded that the sentence can not be described as unduly lenient.
“This application is dismissed.”
Minards watched Lady Justice Nicola Davies pass her judgement from HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes.
He appeared via live link wearing a checked shirt. Minards appeared to show no emotion as the decision not to extend his prison sentence was announced.
The hearing took place at the Court of Appeal on Thursday, December 9.
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