Man guilty of murdering UK MP Jo Cox
Former Labour MP Jo Cox

Man guilty of murdering UK MP Jo Cox

Thomas Mair has been jailed for life after he was found guilty of the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox.

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The 53-year-old shot and stabbed to death the mother-of-two in Birstall, West Yorkshire, on 16 June, a week before the EU referendum vote.

Mair did not enter a plea and chose not to give any evidence in his defence.

Mrs Cox's husband Brendan said he was not there for "retribution" and felt "nothing but pity for" Mair, in a statement read out to the Old Bailey.

In sentencing, Judge Mr Justice Wilkie said Mair had affected to be a patriot, but Mrs Cox was, in the true meaning of the word, a patriot.

He described her as a wonderful mother, sister, daughter and companion, with a generosity of spirit that was apparent even when faced by a violent death.

Before sentencing, Mair asked to speak to the courtroom but the judge said he had already had an opportunity and declined.

Mrs Cox's parents, Jean and Gordon Leadbeater, and her sister, Kim, were also in court for the verdicts.

Mair, dressed in a dark suit and blue tie, remained impassive as the verdicts were read out, after one hour of deliberations.

Mair was also found guilty of having a firearm with intent, causing grievous bodily harm with intent to 78-year-old Bernard Kenny, who tried to help the MP, and having an offensive weapon, namely a dagger.

Judge Mr Justice Wilkie said the murder was carried out to advance a political cause of violent white supremacism, associated with Nazism.

He said the aggravating feature was the premeditation and planning over weeks, in which he researched his intended victim, the past assassination of a serving MP and matricide, knowing Mrs Cox was the mother of young children.

The judge said he had concluded the offence was so exceptional that it has to be marked with a whole life sentence and Mair could only be released by the home secretary.

The Crown Prosecution Service said in a statement: "Mair has offered no explanation for his actions but the prosecution was able to demonstrate that, motivated by hate, his pre-meditated crimes were nothing less than acts of terrorism designed to advance his twisted ideology.

The CPS said it worked closely with police to build a strong case, and commended a number of "brave" eye witnesses who gave evidence.

 

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