Moment judge jails killer in UK's first ever televised court sentencing

The first-ever televised sentencing at the Old Bailey has taken place as a young man is jailed for the manslaughter of his grandfather.

Ben Oliver, 25, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 10 years and eight months this Thursday by Judge Sarah Munro QC. Footage of the sentencing was broadcast across news channels and has been made available online via Sky News, the BBC and ITV.

It comes after a change in the law in 2020 that allowed cameras to be brought in the crown court, however its implementation was delayed due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. The sentencing took place in Court Two, one of the Old Bailey's oldest courtrooms.

Read more: Drug dealer with 'strong work ethic' jailed after stashing ammo at his mum's house

The defendant, from Bexleyheath, South London, was cleared of murder after he admitted to the manslaughter of 74-year-old David Oliver on January 19 last year. In sentencing, Judge Munro laid out Oliver's troubled upbringing, autistic spectrum disorder, and depression.

She took note that Oliver loved his grandparents until he discovered allegations of sexual abuse involving his grandfather. He soon felt nothing but hatred for his grandfather and developed an "obsessional tunnel vision" which led to the decision to kill in a "ferocious" way, according to the judge.

Oliver's grandfather received 21 stab wounds to the face and seven to the torso. After the incident, Oliver told his grandmother: "He cannot hurt you anymore now."

The judge told Oliver: "In your case, I do consider the seriousness of the offence does justify a life sentence.” It was previously heard in the trial that he had repeatedly stabbed the victim in the face and neck while he lay "helpless" in his