Murderer on bail for rape sobs at 30-year jail term

Jonathan Vass was on bail when he carried out the frenzied knife attack on Jane Clough to stop her giving evidence after she accused him of repeated sexual abuse.

Preston Crown Court heard the ambulance technician and former bouncer lay in wait with a multi-tool bladed weapon and pounced as she walked across the staff car park to begin her shift at the A&E department of Blackpool Victoria Hospital. He eventually slit her throat before "casually" walking away.

Miss Clough, 26, was rushed to the hospital's accident and emergency yards away where her colleagues did not initially realise who their patient was because her injuries and "catastrophic" blood loss were so bad.

Vass carried out the attack in revenge after he was arrested and locked-up on November 29 last year for the alleged repeated rape of Miss Clough, the mother of his 11-month-old daughter, Imogen.

But 12 days later, the 17st bodybuilder was set free after Judge Simon Newell granted him bail. And, after pleading guilty to murder, he will not now be prosecuted over the rape allegations.

Both decisions have angered her parents, John and Penny Clough, who held a protest with 20 other family and friends on the court steps.

Wearing "Justice for Jane" T-shirts and badges, emblazoned with a smiling photo of Miss Clough, they carried home-made banners.

Inside the courtroom, Vass sobbed, covering his face with his hands as he was told he would only be eligible for parole in 2040.

Miss Clough's parents and family wept and held each other as the court heard for the first time how, after stabbing and slashing Miss Clough, he started to walk away, then went back seconds later to finish her off.

Judge Anthony Russell QC passing sentence said: "As she lay bleeding, you walked away but then returned and slowly, deliberately and cold-bloodedly slit her throat.

"It is difficult to imagine a more horrific crime than this murder. Furthermore it was a crime motivated by real hatred and revenge."

The court heard that Miss Clough kept a diary, detailing her abuse and fears of Vass and what he might do.

She and her family were "rocked and devastated" when he was bailed last December, leaving her "extremely concerned for her safety."

She left home to live with her parents and recorded in her diary that she was worried "Johnny was going to do something stupid."

Text messages between the pair were also read out.

Miss Clough sent him a message saying: "You have hurt, raped and reduced me to tears on countless occasions... and you want to get engaged and have more kids? Why?"

He replied: "We are staying together regardless of our problems."

Another said: "You physically and sexually abuse me. You threatened to kill me the other night."

Vass's replies read: "Please can I come home... best behaviour promise," and "I do love you Janey. Either get pregnant or engaged. Your choice."

Vass was charged with nine rapes and assault in November 2009 and remanded in custody but bailed by Judge Newell on conditions he kept away from Miss Clough.

But he followed events in her life on Facebook and told a work colleague, an ex-boyfriend of Miss Clough, if he was found guilty he would kill her – a threat that was dismissed as "bravado".

At 8.20pm on July 25, Miss Clough parked her car and walked towards the A&E department to begin her shift.

Norman Smart, whose house overlooked the car park, heard a noise and looked out to see her bleeding on the ground. Mr Smart told police Vass "reached over and pulled her shoulder so that she went from being on her side to being on her back.

"He then slowly stuck the knife into her neck and slit her throat. He then casually walked off."

Vass was arrested the next day outside her parents' house.

Detective Superintendent Neil Esseen said: "Jonathan Vass is a vicious and controlling man who will be spending a very long time behind bars.

"Jane's family have been left absolutely distraught by their loss; they are a close-knit family and our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time."