Iraq war veteran jailed for life after stabbing Britain's Got Talent finalist to death

'What you have done and the grief it has caused, and will continue to cause far into the future, is immeasurable,' judge says

Wednesday 03 July 2019 18:21 BST
Iraq war veteran jailed for life for murder of Britain's Got Talent finalist

An Iraq war veteran has been jailed for life after stabbing a Britain's Got Talent finalist to death in a violent rage.

Desmond Sylva knifed his on-off girlfriend Simonne Kerr more than 70 times at his flat in Clapham, south London, on August 15 last year.

The 41-year-old former soldier, who served in Iraq and Kosovo, admitted manslaughter but denied murder, citing depression.

Sentencing Sylva at London's Old Bailey after he was convicted of murder, Judge Wendy Joseph QC handed him a term of life imprisonment with a minimum of 21 years.

She said Sylva carried out a "sustained and ferocious attack", adding: "There is only one sentence and that is life imprisonment."

The judge said: "You will never be released unless and until the Parole Board permits it. The board will not permit it until you are no longer a danger to the public."

Due to time served on remand, she told Sylva he will be able to apply for parole in 20 years and 45 days.

"What you have done and the grief it has caused, and will continue to cause far into the future, is immeasurable," Judge Joseph said.

She added: "Simonne was simply a lovely person much loved by her family."

Press Association

The 31-year-old "was in your home undressed and in your bed and was about as vulnerable as a person can be," she said, adding that it was clear that Sylva has a "dreadful and ungovernable" temper.

"You killed Simonne Kerr because you are a man of violent disposition prone to outbursts of violent temper," she said.

During the trial, prosecutor Oliver Glasgow QC told jurors it was an all too familiar case of "sexual desire, appalling violence and desperate lies".

He said: "He wanted to restart a sexual relationship with Simonne Kerr. When he did not get what he wanted, he could not control his anger and he exploded."

The judge said that messages Sylva sent to Ms Kerr were "sexually charged".

Ms Kerr, whose six-year-old son Kavele tragically died of sickle cell disease, shot to fame in the NHS choir B Positive on the ITV show Britain's Got Talent.

She met Sylva through dating app Tinder and arranged to visit his flat after finishing her shift at Guys and St Thomas's Hospital on the morning of 15 August.

Sylva attacked her in bed with a 20cm kitchen knife, slashing her throat and repeatedly stabbing her face and neck.

Afterwards, he called 999 and said: "I've just committed a murder. I'm ex-Army and I've got lots of mental health issues."

Sylva had a history of depression, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder - but also had problems controlling his temper, jurors heard.

Before he joined the Army, Jamaican-born Sylva had cut his neck while working in a bakery.

The divorced father-of-one served 10 years in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers before being discharged on medical grounds.

In 2010, Sylva throttled his mother Patricia King, telling her repeatedly: "You're dead," jurors heard.

Ms King reported the assault to police but later withdrew the complaint because he had been depressed and suicidal.

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