A convicted murderer has been jailed for life today with a minimum term of 42 years for stabbing his pregnant girlfriend to death when she refused to abort their baby.

Shaine March was out of prison on licence when he knifed 32-year-old Alana Odysseos 19 times at her home in Walthamstow, east London. March later told police about his attack on the mum: "I did it. I killed her, hahahaha."

He refused to appear at the Old Bailey in person on Friday after telling prison staff: "It's only a sentencing." Members of Alana's family watched proceedings as prosecutor Louise Oakley said the court had the power to compel him to attend.

She said: "It is important to the family he is present at the hearing to hear the effect he has had on that family."

CCTV footage released by police on Friday s

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