IT WAS disturbing to read that, after horrifically stabbing his ex-girlfriend - and her new boyfriend - to death in Cardiff City Centre, in a carefully internet-researched and premeditated brutal double murder, “possessive” and “controlling” Andrew Saunders was given, just one minimum life sentence of twenty-three years. 
No wonder he, as reported, “thanked the judge”. Of, course, no sentence can bring loved ones back or compensate for the victims’ families’ devastating loss, but to witness the defendant be awarded, effectively, an eleven and a half year sentence for each of his victim’s young lives is truly shocking. 
The judge may as well have appeared on the crime scene - after Saunders’ murdered his first victim - to inform him: “If you take a second life, it won’t affect your first sentence”. 
Predictably, medical evidence was heard in court which stated that Saunders had been suffering from an “adjustment disorder”. But, regardless of any trendy modern diagnosis, this unrelenting, merciless and savage double-murder was spawned, tragically, from age-old jealousy and - murderous - hatred. Saunders’, or any other serious offender’s punishment, should actually reflect the number of heinous crimes committed - and the immense suffering they have inflicted on innocent people and their families. 

Howard Henry Smith
Penarth