A father-of-five living a double-life, who killed his partner of eighteen years and their toddler
daughter in a bloody hammer and machete attack when told to leave, is
starting a life sentence.
Roland
McKoy, 54, of Oswald's Mead, Lindisfarne Way, Hackney battered 45
year-old Valerie Forde's head seventeen times with the hammer and
used the blade to slash 22-month old Real-Jahzara McKoy's throat.
He
was convicted at the Old Bailey of murdering both of them at the
family home on March 31 and must serve a minimum of thirty-five
years.
Investigating
officer Detective Chief Inspector Charles King, of the Homicide and
Major Crime Command, said: "Research has shown that women are at
greatest risk of homicide at the point of separation or after leaving
a violent partner.
“What
Roland McKoy did on that day in March almost defies belief, but it is
a stark warning that extreme violence within such relationships is a
very real possibility.
"McKoy
lost control as the reality hit home that Valerie was adamant he must
leave and carried out a horrific attack with a variety of weapons.
“Not
only did he vent his fury at his partner but he also killed his baby
daughter."
The
court heard the couple's relationship broke down in December 2013 and
Valerie told McKoy he must move out of their home by March 31.
That
morning McKoy showed no signs of leaving and the couple, who had
three children together, argued.
Valerie
called her eldest daughter who heard shouting and then screaming and
called police.
At
one point she heard McKoy say: "This is the destruction that you
have brought onto the family."
Officers
arrived and forced entry and they found Valerie, Real-Jahzara and
McKoy all on the third floor of the house.
Valerie
and her daughter were not breathing and had obvious injuries.
McKoy
was lying in a foetal position on the floor next to a hammer, machete
and screwdriver.
He
had minor self-inflicted wounds plus internal injuries from drinking
household bleach.
The
court heard that McKoy had attacked Valerie with the hammer, striking
her head at least 17 times.
He
had slashed her face and neck with the machete and stabbed her with
the screwdriver.
He
also used the machete to cut his daughter across her neck.
He
wrote a note which he left on Valerie's face, accusing her of "dirty
tricks" and blaming her for the attack.
Enquiries
revealed the couple's relationship had begin to deteriorate in 1999
after Valerie discovered McKoy had been living a double life and was
still married to another woman, by whom he had two children.
Their
relationship hit more difficult patches over the next decade with
McKoy jailed for drugs and benefit offences and Valerie unhappy that
he did not contribute to the household, either financially or by
helping around the home.
About
six months before she was murdered, Valerie, a centre manager for the
Hackney Marsh Partnership, told McKoy he had to contribute £150 each
month to the household or leave.
By
December 2013 she had told him their relationship was over and gave
him three months to find somewhere else to live.
Valerie's
family said today: "No matter how many years he receives it will
not bring Valerie and Jahzara back.
“The
pain will still continue for our family for the rest of our lives.
“His
actions have destroyed the lives of Valerie and Jahzara's family,
friends and the wider community in Hackney. Their deaths will not be
in vain."