Thomas Mair has been found guilty of the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox and given a whole life sentence.
The 53-year-old; who chose not to give any evidence in his defence during his trial at the Old Bailey, shot and stabbed to death the mother-of-two in Birstall, on 16 June.
He was tried and found guilty on four charges; murder, having a firearm with intent, causing grievous bodily harm with intent to 78-year-old Bernard Kenny and having an offensive weapon, namely a dagger .
In a statement read out to the court, Mrs Cox's husband Brendan said he felt "nothing but pity for" Mair and was not out for retribution.
Judge Mr Justice Wilkie said in giving his reasoning for the whole life term that there had been the aggravating feature of the premeditation and planning of the murder over weeks, Police recovered evidence that Mair had researched his intended victim, the Judge also mentioned the past assassination of a serving MP and matricide, knowing Mrs Cox was the mother of young children.
West Yorkshire Police Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Nick Wallen said:
“It is still hard to comprehend the magnitude of what happened in the quiet market town of Birstall on that day in June."
“The murder of Jo Cox is a tragedy on so many levels. At the centre is the devastation caused by the loss of a Mother, a Wife, Daughter, Sister and Friend; but this killing, the first of a serving, female, Member of Parliament is also felt acutely by the local community, by the people of this country and across the world."
“Jo Cox MP championed the democracy and inclusivity of this country and for that she paid the ultimate price."
“Thomas Mair is a cold blooded killer. He calmly planned her death, lay in wait and then killed Jo in a sustained attack as she went about her daily business of trying to help people in her local community."
“I would like to pay tribute to the people who bravely came to Jo`s assistance at the scene, one of whom, Bernard Kenny, nearly died as a result of injuries inflicted by Mair. I would also like to praise the courage of the two unarmed neighbourhood police officers who arrested Mair just minutes after, while he was still armed with a gun and a knife. I cannot praise highly enough Jo Cox`s family. Throughout what must be the most terrible of times, they have acted with nothing other than stoicism and dignity seeking only to ensure that Jo`s legacy is a positive and lasting one."
“This joint investigation between West Yorkshire Police and the North East Counter Terrorism Unit sought to understand the man that Thomas Mair is. He had never come to the notice of the Police before, living a solitary lifestyle with no social circle around him. This was a murder motivated by Mair`s apparent political and ideological beliefs involving the use of a firearm and as such was an act of terrorism. Evidence of his interest in extreme right wing has been uncovered. Nothing can excuse the evil and the horror his actions brought to the town of Birstall on the 16th of June this year.”
Appeal After Burglary
Have your say and help to build stronger communities in Calderdale
Bradford to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day
City presents Windrush pioneer with prestigious Leeds Award
More Than 10,000 Arrests Made By Team Dedicated To Reducing Violent Crime
Plate expectations as historic registration could be up for sale
Calderdale: Celebrating over 350 years of service at Council
Activists who caused £100,000 worth of damage sentenced
Appeal Following Collision and Death of Man in Otley, Leeds
Anti-social behaviour funding boost in Clitheroe, Colne and Darwen
Legal Show
Bhangra Nights
Alim OnAir
The Golden Era