Sophie Cartledge: Former soldier jailed for life over ‘sadistic’ murder of girlfriend
A man who raped and murdered his girlfriend in a “sadistic” attack at her home has been jailed for life.
Former soldier Andrew Grimes, 37, attacked nursery nurse Sophie Cartledge, 39, while he was drunk at her home in Bottesford, near Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, in June last year.
Mother-of-two Ms Cartledge was found by her 15-year-old daughter, having suffered fatal injuries at the hands of Grimes.
Grimes was told by judge John Thackray QC at Hull Crown Court that he had killed Ms Cartledge in "devastating, tragic and wholly brutal circumstances".
He had carried out a "violent, brutal and sadistic sexual assault" on Sophie before murdering her.
In a victim statement read to the court earlier this week, Ms Cartledge's daughter told Grimes she hoped he would be "haunted" by what he had done.
She said: "My mum is gone and I am broken. She was my best friend.
"The feeling of loss is so great, it is visceral. With the sorrow comes waves of panic of never being able to see her again.
"My mum died in horrendous circumstances. I'm tormented at what she endured. It's torture to think about it."
Grimes, of Scunthorpe, showed no emotion as he was jailed for life with a minimum term of 27 years.
Following the sentence, Detective Inspector Grant Taylor, of Humberside Police, said: "This is a dreadful case where a woman lost her life at the hands of a man who she trusted and loved.
"Andrew Grimes is a dangerous offender who used extreme violence and brute force and meted out a brutal attack that left Sophie with significant injuries which led to her death.
“I am reassured that he is now behind bars and unable to harm anyone else."
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, call police on 101 or contact charities like Women’s Aid and Refuge.
