Man who drugged and murdered wife given life sentence

A man who drugged his wife before stabbing her to death earlier this year has been jailed.

Shane Simmonds, 39, of Parbury Road, Forest Hill, was sentenced at the Old Bailey yesterday to life in prison. He will serve a minimum of 32 years.

In the early hours of January 3, Simmonds walked into Lewisham police station and told officers that he had killed his wife at their home.

Officers attended the scene and found the body of 32-year-old Tia Simmonds hidden in the loft, wrapped in bedding and clothes. 

A kitchen knife which had been used to stab her was found in their bedroom. A post-mortem examination held at Greenwich Mortuary found the cause of death to be stab injuries.

Two days before handing himself in, Simmonds had drugged Tia with sleeping tablets, before stabbing her several times as she lay on their bed, police said.

He then left the home and was seen buying cleaning products and replacement bedding.

Detective Superintendent Matt Webb, investigating, said: “This was a callous and brutal murder which, due to Simmonds’ actions, was clearly premeditated. There was no opportunity for her to defend herself.”

During a hearing at the Old Bailey in August, Simmonds denied murder but admitted to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. 

This plea was not accepted by the prosecution and a murder trial was set to take place at the Old Bailey this week.

Simmonds also pleaded guilty to raping another woman twice on the day before his wife’s body was discovered.

But, as before the trial began on Monday, prospective jurors were told that the defendant had pleaded guilty and the trial was cancelled.

DS Webb said: “He faces a lengthy prison sentence but the impact of his actions that day will last a lifetime for Tia’s family and friends.”

Pictured top: Shane Simmonds has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his wife (Picture : The Met)