Husband jailed for killing wife as kids slept upstairs
Erhan Havaleoglu, 36, throttled and stabbed Leighanne Cameron 10 times before fleeing her home in Mid Calder, West Lothian.
A husband who murdered his estranged wife as his children slept upstairs has been jailed for at least 20 years.
Erhan Havaleoglu, 36, throttled and stabbed Leighanne Cameron 10 times before fleeing her home in Mid Calder, West Lothian.
The killer struck shortly after discovering Leighanne, 29, was in a relationship with another man.
A judge today told Turkish-born Havaleoglu that he was guilty of a “cruel, merciless and extremely violent murder”.
The ex-care worker was jailed for life at the High Court in Glasgow having been convicted at a trial last month.
Judge Johanna Johnston QC added Leighanne's injuries had been “catastrophic”.
She told Havaleoglu: “Leighanne Cameron was much loved and had everything to live for.”
The judge also remarked Havaleoglu maintained his innocence.
At that, he shouted back from the dock: “I will still continue to, my lady.”
Many of Leighanne's family and friends hugged and sobbed after the hearing. They were too upset to comment afterwards.
Havaleoglu attacked the mum shortly after she returned from work in October 2015.
The killer had been spending the day looking after their children before he struck.
He then fled to Edinburgh where it is thought en-route he ditched the murder weapon and the clothes he had been wearing.
Tragic Leighanne's body was discovered by her lover Philip Kilkenny.
Mr Kilkenny called police and revealed Havaleoglu had told Leighanne “she'd never get to love another man”.
Havaleoglu – a former soldier – was later held for the murder. However, at a trial, he denied the killing instead pinning the blame on Mr Kilkenny.
The court heard today the “reality” of Leighanne's new relationship had come to “the full attention” of Havaleoglu shortly before the murder.
Ian Duguid, defending, this came from a chat the killer had with one of his young children.
The QC said this discovery was suggested to be “the catalyst” for the fatal attack.
Mr Duguid: “This is an event that pushed him beyond what his previous behaviour had been.”
Havaleoglu had also been accused of assaulting three other women, but he was cleared of those charges at the trial.