A 30-year-old man has been handed a life sentence after pleading guilty to the murder of his elderly father at a rural home in Somerset.
A Fatal Attack in a Bath Home
Christopher Monro, also known as Kit, admitted to killing 73-year-old Peter Monro in February this year. The court heard that police were called to the property just after midday on 11 February by one of Mr Monro's carers.
Officers discovered Peter Monro with fatal knife wounds in a bedroom. He was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after their arrival.
Family's Heartbreaking Court Statement
During the sentencing hearing at Bristol Crown Court on Tuesday, the victim's daughter, Lara Monro, delivered a powerful and emotional statement. She described the profound difficulty of grieving while legal proceedings were ongoing.
"I don't think I have been able to yet, because I don't think my brain has allowed me to fully comprehend what has happened," she told the court. She spoke of being haunted by her father's cries but also comforted by memories of his laughter.
Addressing her brother directly, she said, "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."
Investigation and Arrest
Detectives quickly established that Christopher Monro had been staying with his father the weekend before the killing. Several witnesses reported hearing an argument between the two men two days prior to the fatal incident.
Following a trace of his movements, police arrested Monro at his home address in Oxford. The investigation revealed a tragic sequence of events leading to the violent attack.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Meade, who led the investigation, stated: "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."
He praised the family's resilience, adding: "The past 10 months have been incredibly difficult for the entire family and they have shown remarkable resilience in such adversity."
Christopher Monro will now serve a life sentence for the murder of his father, a crime that has left a family shattered and a community in shock.
