A person has been jailed for killing his partner after trapping her in his house, limiting her food plan to only vodka and ice lollies, and inflicting greater than 100 injuries on her.
Tony Devenport, 57, will serve no less than 22 years in prison(*100*) for the loss of life of Stephanie Blundell, 41, who was found with intensive bruising throughout her face and physique.
Her father described an ordeal that may “stay with me for the rest of my life” after discovering her within the house she shared with Devenport in Canal Street, Chester.
The jury heard that Ms Blundell had lived with her controlling partner for nearly two years, but didn’t have a home key, and he retained her financial institution card.
Stephanie Blundell. Pic: PA
She had been battling alcoholism for years when she met him, but the couple achieved a interval of sobriety, Chester Crown Court was instructed.
They relapsed in May final yr, nonetheless, after they began to drink “heavily” throughout a visit to Slovakia.
“When intoxicated, you were abusive, aggressive and violent towards her on occasions prior to her death,” Justice Steyn instructed Devenport.
Devenport was arrested on suspicion of assaulting Ms Blundell simply 10 days earlier than she died, but breached his bail situations “within minutes” by calling her.
The arrest of Tony Devenport. Pic: PA
She “never left” his home once more after he known as a taxi to select her up.
In these remaining days, she had “no means of contacting anyone” and was bed-bound.
She had acute pancreatitis and alcoholic ketoacidosis, and the choose mentioned she was “bound to be pleading” for assist.
But the defendant, who had purchased greater than 12 litres of vodka and 72 cans of beer, gave her solely alcohol(*100*) and ice lollies.
“As a result of your actions, Stephanie would have been in pain and fear, and you kept her there, offering little but vodka,” the choose mentioned.
The arrest of Tony Devenport. Pic: PA
She added that Devenport had strangled Ms Blundell twice within the 48 hours earlier than her loss of life, in addition to beating her, inflicting important injuries to her mind.
Her father, Philip Blundell, who discovered her, mentioned: “The thought that she died alone in pain with nobody to comfort her haunts me every day.”
A autopsy dominated that Ms Blundell died from her a number of injuries, exacerbated by the consequences of continual alcoholism.
Sentencing him on Friday, Justice Steyn instructed Devenport he had murdered(*100*) his “compassionate, kind-hearted and courageous” partner of two years.
The arrest of Tony Devenport. Pic: PA
She mentioned: “Stephanie Blundell died on the morning of July 20, 2025, as a result of fierce, repeated and sustained assaults inflicted by you over the preceding day or two.
“Her father had probably the most horrible expertise a guardian can face of visiting her shortly after noon on that Sunday, solely to find that his beloved daughter lay lifeless, with the marks of the extreme beatings you had meted out abundantly clear.”
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The choose added: “She at all times noticed the nice in folks, together with you, by no means giving up on them. She had an unlimited capability to like and a brilliant smile that would mild up a room.”
In a statement after the sentencing, Ms Blundell’s family paid tribute to “one of the crucial radiant souls you could possibly ever hope to fulfill”.
The assertion learn: “She was kind-hearted, quick-witted and effortlessly stylish. Her warmth and compassion have been evident throughout this trial and that brings us some comfort that her true loving nature has been seen by so many.”
Detective Inspector Andrea Price of Cheshire(*100*) Constabulary mentioned: “Stephanie was loved and cherished amongst family and friends, and although today marks the day her killer is brought to justice, I want Stephanie to be the one who we remember.
“While no sentence can ever carry Stephanie again, I hope at this time’s outcome supplies her family members with some consolation in understanding that Devenport has now been held accountable for what he has performed.”
