Judge Paul Thomas KC stated in Friday’s sentencing that Daniel White posed a “serious threat” to women even before he murdered Angie White.
Alexa voice recordings contributed to a man’s life term for murdering his wife.
Angie White, 45, was strangled and her throat was slashed with a Stanley knife by Daniel White, 36, after he kicked in her barred bedroom door, strangled her, and then cut her throat with a kick.
Mrs. White was a beloved daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, and aunt, according to her family.
In the early hours of 22 October last year, White fled their Swansea home in his wife’s vehicle before calling the police hours later to confess to murder.
At Idris Terrace in Plasmarl, officers found Mrs. White’s body in her chamber and the front door unlocked.
White had a lengthy history of domestic violence, including against Mrs. White, the court heard.
After a WhatsApp dispute, White kicked in Mrs. White’s mortise lock.
At the time of the crime, he was on parole after receiving a 10-year sentence enhancement for rape and assault.
At approximately 3 a.m. that morning, neighbors reported hearing banging, shouting, and shrieking, followed by the sound of a front door opening and a vehicle driving away.
White called the police shortly before 6 a.m., telling the dispatcher, “I suffocated and slashed Mrs. White’s throat. She has died.
“After an argument, she secured the door and demanded that I leave.
“All I wanted to do was gather my belongings and depart. I simply silenced her, strangled her, ran downstairs, and slit her throat to ensure that she was deceased.”
Detectives found White and his wife’s vocal commands in Amazon Alexa’s cloud.
The court heard that Mrs. White and her husband exchanged their last message at 3:11 a.m.
Mrs. White was discovered dead with knife wounds to her neck. But there was also evidence that she had been strangled.
White had confessed to homicide but refused to appear in court for sentencing.
“Serious threat to women” Judge Paul Thomas KC sentenced White to life with a minimum of 20 years and 10 months.
“He lacks the courage to face the family and friends of the woman whose life he so brutally ended,” he said as he handed down the sentence.
“You have a disgraceful history of assaulting women in relationships with you”.
In sum, you posed a grave threat to women even before you murdered Angie White.
“You once again lost your temper in the middle of the night for reasons that you have never adequately explained or sought to explain.”
The judge said White “brutally slashed her throat knowing it would be fatal,” leaving Mrs. White “utterly terrified.”
Angie White’s family paid her tribute following her sentencing: “Angie was a beloved daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, and aunt. Additionally, a friend with a zest for joy who was always willing to do whatever she could for anyone.
Angie was close to finishing her Humanities degree, which would have enabled her to continue helping others.
“Nothing can bring back our cherished Angie. We will forever mourn that giggle.”
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Powell of the South Wales Police stated, “Despite being devastated by the news of Angie’s murder, her family has exhibited remarkable patience and dignity during the agonizing wait for today’s sentencing.”
“Although I recognize that nothing will ever bring Angie back to them, I do hope that we were able to provide them with many of the answers they sought; and that this sentence helps them grieve and, hopefully, begin to rebuild their lives.”
DCI Powell extended his gratitude to the witnesses who were “especially courageous in providing my team with evidence of their experiences at Daniel White’s hands.”
