Sunderland murderer who left ex with 123 injuries including cigarette burns jailed for life
by Rob Kennedy · ChronicleLiveA savage murderer who left his ex partner with 123 injuries and burnt her with a cigarette as she lay unconscious and dying has been jailed for life.
Stephen Todd subjected vulnerable Melissa Eastick to repeated beatings in his home in Sunderland which left her fatally injured. Now Todd, who had been given a suspended prison sentence for assaulting Melissa weeks earlier and went on to admit her murder, has been told he must serve at least 21 years and four months of a life sentence by a judge at Newcastle Crown Court.
As he was sentenced, a victim impact statement from Melissa’s sister, Samantha Turnbull, on behalf of the family, was read to the court. She said: “Melissa was a sister, a mother, an auntie and a much-loved member of our family.” She added: “Melissa was very kind. She just wanted love.
“She just got on with life and took the beatings from him. She has been robbed of a life with her children.
“We can’t stop thinking about her final days, getting beaten up repeatedly and stamped on.”
The court heard that among her dozens of injuries, Melissa had six burns to her torso which were inflicted just hours before death at a time she was "profoundly unconscious".
She had been repeatedly injured in the two weeks before she died and had commented herself that it would probably end with him killing her.
Passing sentence, Mrs Justice Lambert says of Melissa: “She was a mother, daughter and sister and a much-loved and cherished member of her family, who have been left devastated and shocked by her death.”
The judge said Todd had assaulted Melissa in October 2021 and was subsequently given a 15 month suspended prison sentence for that in July last year. She added that Melissa, who was “dainty and fragile”, was attacked a number of times between October 2 and 17 last year with punches, kicks and stamps. She said he used “considerable force”.
Mrs Justice Lambert said prosecutors accept his basis of plea that he didn’t intend to kill her but added: “It must have been a terrifying and immensely painful period for Melissa.
“She lay unconscious for at least 24 hours and possibly a few days. You took no steps to help her.” The judge said he used Melissa as a punchbag day after day.
Newcastle Crown Court heard it was just after 7am on October 17 last year when Todd called 999 to say he couldn't wake up 36-year-old Melissa and that she was not breathing in his home in Stockton Terrace, Sunderland. When ambulance workers turned up, he said he had seen her the night before and that she was "alright yesterday".
Peter Glenser KC, prosecuting, said during the trial: "The Crown say that, like a great deal of what he was to say over the days that followed, was a lie. There was no way she was alright the day before.
"It very quickly became apparent that there was very extensive bruising and swelling to Melissa Eastick’s body and face, and that she was very cold to the touch. On examination, it was obvious that she was dead and her life was formally pronounced as extinct at 7.14am that morning.
"As you will hear, it appears that her death was neither quick nor easy. She had sustained more than 100 injuries, probably nearer 123, in the time leading up to her death, comprising a combination of severe bruises, abrasions and lacerations.
Keep up to date with all the latest court news from the North East with our free newsletter
Mr Glenser said Melissa was a "frail and vulnerable individual with a history of chronic alcohol misuse". He told the jury: "As I say, she had in the days prior to her death incurred a series of consecutive injuries, culminating in the infliction of a brain injury which would have rendered her profoundly unconscious for some days before her death.
"The other injuries identified include facial bruising, fractured ribs, fractured vertebra and cigarette burns to her torso."
The court heard Todd and Melissa had been in an on-off "turbulent" relationship since 2018 and they both had issues with alcohol. Melissa was last seen alive on October 2, with Todd at Asda. However on October 6 she received a sales call, which was recorded. That was the last "proof of life", the court heard.
The prosecution say it is unlikely she left the flat after October 2. A subsequent search of the flat revealed significant blood staining throughout.
Toby Hedworth KC, for Todd, said his life had been ruined by alcohol, just as Melissa’s had. He added: “Both were drawn back to each other and were unable to act within the proper restraints within a relationship.”
Mr Hedworth said Todd did not intend to kill Melissa. He added: “He has expressed his remorse for what happened and he does think about it every day.
“He still doesn’t know why it happened but he knows from what’s been spelled out that he has had to absorb that it’s his behaviour that led to these dreadful consequences.”
Join our WhatsApp communities
ChronicleLive is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our communities.
We have a number of communities to join, so you can choose which one you want to be part of and we'll send you the latest news direct to your phone. You could even join them all!
To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press 'join community'.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice.
Join the ChronicleLive Breaking News and Top Stories community
Join our Court & Crime community
Join the Things to do in Newcastle and the North East community
Join our Northumberland community
Join our County Durham community
Join our Great North Run community