Bournemouth vet jailed for murdering former girlfriend

Stephanie Hodgkinson "touched the hearts of everyone she met", her family said

A veterinarian has been jailed for a minimum of 15 years for murdering his former partner after she left him.

Mother-of-two Stephanie Hodgkinson, 34, was punched and stabbed in the chest at her flat in Bournemouth, on 12 May.

Alberto Fioletti, 31, of West Street, Fordingbridge, then stabbed himself and rang for an ambulance, Bournemouth Crown Court heard.

Passing a life sentence, Judge Susan Evans KC said Fioletti had carried out a "brutal, ferocious" attack.

Alberto Fioletti was jailed for a minimum of 15 years

She told the defendant: "The damage you have done is immeasurable... and will be enduring."

The judge added the vet, who had been diagnosed with emotionally unstable personality disorder, was "unable to sustain intimate relationships" and was a "significant danger to women".

Steven Perian KC, prosecuting, previously said Fioletti arrived at Ms Hodgkinson's home intent on reconciliation a week after she ended their seven-month relationship and threw him out.

However, the defendant's "profound inability to come to terms with her rejection culminated in his relentless, brutal assault", Mr Perian said.

Police sealed off Ms Hogkinson's flat in Rosemount Road after finding her body

The defendant punched Ms Hodgkinson in the face before stabbing her at least seven times in the chest with a large kitchen knife, the court heard.

He spent 12 days in hospital after turning the knife on himself, telling a psychiatrist the fatal incident was the "worst anger" he had ever experienced, Mr Perian said.

Fioletti pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility but was convicted of murder following a four-week trial.

Floral tributes were left outside the property

Daniel Marsh, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "He knew exactly what he was doing and was fully responsible for his actions. This was a senseless attack on an innocent young woman who was well within her rights to end a relationship she no longer wanted.

"Fioletti's inability to come to terms with this and failure to manage his own emotions culminated in the needless murder of Ms Hodgkinson."

Following the sentencing, Ms Hodgkinson's family paid tribute to "the most beautiful and remarkable young woman".

In a statement issued by Dorset Police, the family said: "Stephanie lit up a room with her very presence and touched the hearts of everyone she met.

"In choosing to plead not guilty to murder, the defendant has prolonged our agony and put us all through anguish, heartache and to have to face and hear the unimaginable."