Abusive boyfriend jailed after murder of partner as arrest footage released

Tony Devenport was sentenced to life with a minimum of 22 years after jurors found him guilty of murdering his partner, Stephanie Blundell, and police released footage of his arrest in which he asked whether she was dead.

Tony Devenport has been sentenced to life imprisonment after a jury at Chester Crown Court found him guilty of the murder of his partner, Stephanie Blundell. Ms Blundell was discovered dead at the home they shared after a period in which she was reportedly confined there. Cheshire Police released footage of Devenport’s arrest in which he asked officers whether Ms Blundell was alive. The judge and Ms Blundell’s family made statements about her character and the impact of her death during sentencing. Key facts: - Tony Devenport, 57, was convicted of the murder of 41-year-old Stephanie Blundell and given a life sentence with a minimum term of 22 years. - Ms Blundell was found dead by her father at the couple’s home in Chester; the court heard she had been kept at the address before her death. - Police released footage of officers arresting Devenport, during which he asked if Ms Blundell was alive and denied responsibility. - In court, the judge and family members described Ms Blundell as kind-hearted and noted the serious concerns about the relationship raised during the trial. Summary: Devenport’s conviction and sentence conclude the criminal trial in this case and were followed by public remarks from police and family paying tribute to Ms Blundell. Undetermined at this time.