Robert Healey

Name

Robert Healey

STATUS

Sentenced to life in prison on April 1, 1987

Timeline

• 30 March 1987 — Robert William Healey was convicted of murdering his wife and his stepdaughter then aged 18.
• 16 March 1988 — Lord Lane’s recommendation to the Home Secretary, dated 16th March 1988.
• 21 April 1997 — A minimum term of 20 years was notified by the Home Secretary.
• 4 March 2005 — Representations in support of the High Court application were dated 4th March 2005.
• 7 February 2006 — The High Court of Justice, Queen’s Bench Division, Birmingham, delivered the judgment of Mr Justice Gibbs (approved judgment).

Background

Robert William Healey was from Longmead Avenue. The case involved the murder of his wife, Greeba, and his stepdaughter, Marie, who was aged 13 at the time of the offences and later referenced as being then aged 18 at conviction.

The offence

Robert William Healey killed his wife by striking her at least fifteen times over the head with a rolling pin, with the fatal blow being a crush fracture of the left parietal region of the skull. He killed his thirteen year old stepdaughter by asphyxiation caused by sustained pressure to the throat.

Healey had sexual intercourse with both victims shortly before their death. It could be inferred that his motives for the killings arose out of his sexual activities within the home. He took elaborate steps to cover his tracks, including burying the victims, leaving a false trail suggesting they had left, and faking suicide. He eventually gave himself up.

Healey accepted that he had killed them but advanced a defence based on provocation and/or lack of intent, which the jury rejected. He admitted subsequently that he was guilty of murder and acknowledged that the defences advanced were false.

Investigation

The sentencing materials referred to Healey leaving his clothes on a Prestatyn beach before eventually giving himself up.

Trial

On 30th March 1987, the applicant Robert William Healey was convicted of murdering his wife and his stepdaughter then aged 18.

The trial judge, Mr Justice McNeill, recommended a minimum term of at least fifteen years as necessary to meet the requirements of retribution and general deterrence. Lord Lane, then Chief Justice, made a recommendation to the Home Secretary dated 16th March 1988, stating:

“I agree that 15 years is a proper minimum period apart from the risk factor.”

Sentencing

At London’s Royal Courts of Justice, the High Court materials explained that Healey was jailed for life at Liverpool Crown Court in March 1987 after being convicted. The High Court judgment later addressed the minimum term tariff that must be served before he could be considered for release on parole.

On 21st April 1997, a minimum term of 20 years was notified by the Home Secretary.

In reviewing the term, the High Court considered matters set out under Schedule 22(3) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 and other relevant provisions.

Appeals

Pursuant to Schedule 22(3) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, the applicant applied to the High Court for the tariff set by the Home Secretary to be reviewed. The High Court judgment addressed the minimum term in light of the principles applicable at the time of the sentence and the recommendations made at that time.

Outcome

The High Court judgment concluded that the appropriate minimum term was 20 years, but it deducted the time spent in custody on remand under section 67 of the Criminal Justice Act 1967. The judgment stated that the result was 19 years and 138 days.

The High Court also discussed how the High Court could not increase the minimum term notified by the Home Secretary under Schedule 22(3)(1)(a) of the 2003 Act and stated that it was wrong in principle to apply today’s standards reflected by the provisions of the 2003 Act.

Mr Justice Gibbs gave the judgment on 7th February 2006.

Aftermath

It was stated that, if Healey served the 20-year tariff, he would only be freed if he could persuade the Parole Board that he posed no public threat, and that when, and if, released, he would remain on life licence for the rest of his days, subject to prison recall if he put a foot wrong.

The High Court materials stated that the time set, after deduction of remand time, was 19 years and 138 days.

Court judgment excerpts and quotations

Mr Justice Gibbs made the following statements:

“He has admitted subsequently that he is guilty of murder and has acknowledged that the defences advanced were false.”
“Applying schedule 21 of the 2003 Act, it is arguable that the seriousness of the offences was ‘exceptionally high’, so as to justify a ‘whole life order’ under paragraph 4(1).”
“It would however be wrong in principle to apply today’s standards as reflected by the provisions of the 2003 Act.”
“In my judgment, by the standards then prevailing, the recommendation of fifteen years did not make adequate allowance for the fact that this was a double murder.”
“For these reasons, I consider that the appropriate minimum term is 20 years.”
“However, under section 67 of the 1967 Act there falls to be deducted the time the applicant spent in custody on remand, namely 7 months and 12 days.”
“In the result, the time set will be 19 years and 138 days.”

Mr Justice Gibbs also made a ruling on the minimum term and described inferences regarding motive and concealment:

“He took elaborate steps to cover his tracks, burying the victims, leaving a false trail suggesting they had left, and faking suicide,”

Mr Justice Gibbs stated regarding motive:

“his motives for the killings arose out of 'his sexual activities within the home'”

In addition, Mr Justice Gibbs addressed sentencing rules and delay:

“He deprecate the inordinate delay in notifying the term.”

Other details

Persons and relationships

• Robert William Healey was the husband of Greeba.
• Robert William Healey was the stepfather of Marie.
• Marie was thirteen years old at the time of the offences.
• At conviction, the stepdaughter was referred to as being then aged 18.

Case number and court

• Case No: MTR / 20 / 2005
• IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE QUEEN'S BENCH DIVISION BIRMINGHAM
• CROWN COURT Date: 7TH FEBRUARY 2006
• Regina - v- Robert William Healey
• The judgment stated: “I direct that pursuant to CPR PD 39A para 6.1 no official shorthand note shall be taken of this Judgment and that copies of this version as handed down may be treated as authentic.”
• The judgment named: THE HON MR JUSTICE GIBBS.