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Sophie Cavanagh murder: ‘Jealous’ husband who killed wife after she rejected 'one last' night with him jailed

"Wonderful mother": Sophie Cavanagh, with her estranged husband Martin
"Wonderful mother": Sophie Cavanagh, with her estranged husband Martin

A "jealous" husband who murdered his estranged wife after she rejected the offer of spending "one last" night with him has been jailed for 16 years.

Martin Cavanagh, of Chatterton Road, Bromley, was handed the jail term on Monday at the Old Bailey after being found guilty of murder by a jury.

The court heard the 35-year-old was “controlling and possessive” towards victim Sophie Cavanagh, 31.

Jurors were told he sabotaged her Match.com dating profile and scared away any new men. Days before she was found dead, Cavanagh allegedly offered Sophie £100 if she would sleep with him again.

She rebuffed him and later told a friend the proposal was “disgusting”.

Sophie Cavanagh was murdered earlier this year
Sophie Cavanagh was murdered earlier this year

Cavanagh murdered Ms Cavanagh at his flat in Bromley on May 19 this year, following a day out at the zoo.

During the trial, prosecutor Alexandra Healy QC told the court: “The defendant had a controlling, jealous and possessive nature [and] a short fuse.”

The couple had married in 2011 and separated after five years, but continued to see each other regularly.

Martin Cavanagh has been jailed for 16 years (Metropolitan Police)
Martin Cavanagh has been jailed for 16 years (Metropolitan Police)

Ms Healy told the court: “If Sophie attempted to start a relationship with another man, those relationships would not last long. The defendant would contact the people she was dating.”

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Vandenbergh, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: "This tragic case saw a young woman lose her life to a controlling and abusive man who has now been brought to justice.

"We hope this sentence provides some small comfort to Sophie’s family who continue to live with the horrific consequences of Cavanagh’s actions."

Cavanagh was arrested on May 28 and denied killing Ms Cavanagh.