A MAN who strangled and repeatedly stabbed his girlfriend as she lay in an empty bath at his Newport home has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

Kristopher Mitchell, aged 28, of Bryn Bevan, was sentenced to 16 years and eight months in jail at Cardiff Crown Court this afternoon after he admitted murdering Jessica Watkins earlier this year.

Jessica Watkins' family said in a statement that “five months ago our world was turned upside down when Jess was cruelly taken from us.

“No sentence will bring Jessie back but we had hoped for a more severe sentence. We are disappointed with today’s outcome.

“As a family we are still grieving and coming to terms with Jess’s death, but we hope from today we can put a small bit of closure on this tragedy and learn how to cope without our beloved Jess.”

Senior Investigating Officer for Gwent Police DCI Roger Fortey said: “Jessica Watkins was brutally attacked in May this year by her then boyfriend Kristopher Mitchell. She received severe injuries which tragically proved fatal.

“Jessica had a loving family and at just age 21, a long life ahead of her, this was cruelly cut short as a result of Mitchell’s actions.

“Our thoughts remain with Jessica’s family at this difficult time. Although today’s sentence will not ease their pain or sense of loss, I hope it will provide a little comfort to them as they move on with their lives.”