‘Violent’ and ‘controlling’ man jailed for life for the murder of 23-year-old girlfriend in Greenwich hotel

A man has been jailed for life after stabbing his 23-year-old girlfriend to death in a hotel room in Greenwich, after years of abuse and violence.

Taye Francis, 40, of no fixed address, was found guilty at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, November 10 after plunging a knife into the neck of 23-year-old Khloemae Loy, with whom he had been in a relationship.

He was sentenced on Monday, December 6 to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 23 years.

Francis and Miss Loy had been in an on and off relationship since around 2015, the court heard.

She was often subjected to his outbursts of violence and aggression due to his suspicions that people were out to cause him harm – and her family pleaded with her to leave her “manipulative” partner several times.

His paranoia is believed to have been fuelled by his abuse of steroids, some of which were found at the scene.

Messages on his phone showed steroid orders and research on how best to inject them.

In the weeks and months before her death, Francis and Miss Loy moved house several times because of the high level of Francis’ paranoia.

They were helped by Khloemae’s family, who had pleaded with her to leave him.

Her parents said: “Khloemae was only 23 at the time of her death. She is missed by her family and friends.

“We all miss her bubbly personality, she was always the life and soul of the party and she always tried to see the best in everyone. She was like our little china doll.

“At the age of 23 Khloemae had already endured five years of suffering at the hands of Taye Francis when all she did was seek love and commitment from him.

“Taye tricked her into his world. He lied to her from the very beginning.

“He lied about his age, his job and the fact he was a student at a local college.

“He tried to manipulate and control Khloemae from the outset. He took her away from her family and friends and physically and emotionally abused her.

“Even though Khloemae is no longer here with us she still exists.

“Taye has taken Khloemae’s life but in doing so he has also ruined ours.

“We cannot experience her love and happiness.”

Police were called to the Holiday Inn on Bugsby’s Way at 10am on Sunday, July 5 2020, after Francis called an ambulance to say he had stabbed his girlfriend and that she was dying.

The emergency services were initially unable to get into the hotel room after he refused to open the door.

Police forced entry into the hotel room, which Francis had barricaded by placing a sofa bed in front of the door.

By that time Francis had climbed out of the bedroom window in an attempt to escape but fell onto a roof below.

Miss Loy was found with a stab wound to the neck and pronounced dead at the scene.

A set of knives was found in the room along with a receipt that showed they had been bought just a week prior to the attack from a supermarket in Sutton.

Detective Sergeant Quinn Cutler said: “Taye Francis is a violent, controlling man who subjected Khloemae to constant aggression and abuse as a result of his own paranoia.

“His horrific actions have robbed a family of a much-loved young woman who had her whole life ahead of her and our team were determined to get justice for her and those left bereft by her loss.

“Domestic abuse should never be tolerated and across the Met we are working hard to protect women and girls across the capital.

“We want anyone who is subject to abusive or controlling behaviour to know we are here for them and we will listen. If you need us, contact 101 or 999 where we have specially trained officers who can provide support and investigate.”