Life sentence for 30-year-old man who murdered his father in Bath

A 30-year-old man has been jailed for life for murdering his father at a home in Bath earlier this year.

30-year-old Christopher Monro pleaded guilty to the murder of his father | Photo © Avon & Somerset Police

Christopher Monro was told he must serve a minimum of 12 years in prison for the killing of 73-year-old Peter Monro.

Emergency services were called to Mr Monro’s address in Kelston View at around midday on Tuesday 11th February, where he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives later traced Monro’s movements and he was arrested the following day at his home in Osney Lane, Oxford, by Thames Valley Police.

He was subsequently charged with murder and pleaded guilty at a hearing in August.

In a statement read out in court, Peter’s daughter Lara said she is still struggling to process what happened.

She said: “I find it almost impossible to grieve my dear Papa. In fact, I don’t think I have been able to yet, because I don’t think my brain has allowed me to full comprehend what has happened.

Peter Monro was found wounded by a carer | Photo © Avon & Somerset Police

“In darker moments, I am haunted by my father’s cries. But then there are also times where I am comforted by his laughter.

“I try my hardest to focus on these moments as a way of staying connected to him.”

Lara said her brother – also known as Kit – had a “relentless battle with severely complex mental health issues”.

While not excusing his actions, she said she believed he should have received greater support from mental health services.

She added: “I often find myself preoccupied and pained by my by brother’s suffering; what he must have been going through to commit such an act and what he must be navigating in the aftermath.

“Ultimately, I expect for Kit’s sentencing to be reflective of his actions. But I also hope he will be safe and in a protected environment, and that he is given the necessary care and support to move forward and heal; that in time it will be possible for him to experience less suffering, and more light.

“I loved our Papa with all my heart, and you (Kit) took him away from me. Yet while I will never be able to understand why or how you were able to do what you have done, you will always be my brother, and I will always love and care for you.”

She also thanked family and friends for their support and praised the “professionalism and empathy” of specialist family liaison officers.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Meade said: “While today may mark the conclusion of the court proceedings, it does not end the pain and loss felt by all those who knew and loved Peter Monro.

“The past 10 months have been incredibly difficult for the entire family and they have shown remarkable resilience in such adversity. We are grateful for their support while we have investigated this tragic case.

“The information provided to us in the early stages relating to Christopher Monro was crucial in achieving this conviction and we want to publicly thank those who came forward.

“Sometimes little details may seem inconsequential on their own, but fed into the bigger picture they can have a huge impact on progressing investigations and bringing offenders to justice.”