The mother of a 24-year-old knifed to death by her jilted husband wept as her daughter's killer was told he faced life behind bars.

Ty Medland, 26, was branded “petulant” and “immature” after he was convicted yesterday of the brutal murder of his wife, Sam, in a central Brighton square.

Her mother, Amelia Shah, wiped tears from her face as the majority verdict of 11 to one was returned at Lewes Crown Court following a ten-day trial.

Judge Anthony Scott-Gall told Medland, who attempted to blame his actions on depression, he would be sentenced to at least 25 years.

He told the jury: “You have convicted the defendant on the most compelling and overwhelming evidence.

“It really was the most ghastly killing and I'm sure you will never forget it.”

Medland, of Cavell Avenue, Peacehaven, was told he would be sentenced on Monday but to expect a full life sentence.

The judge added: “I don't want you having any false hopes. You will be sentenced to at least 25 years.”

Medland stood stony-faced in the dock with his head bowed as he was convicted of the murder.

A small group of his family and friends wept as he was sent down.

On February 17, Medland armed himself with four knives - three which were a wedding present to the pair - and stabbed her multiple times in Queens Square, Brighton.

Horrified onlookers described how Sam lay dying on the ground at about 8.40pm as her husband leant over her.

The jury were unable to reach a unanimous verdict after deliberating for more than five hours but returned a majority verdict after being given directions from the judge.

Speaking outside court Detective Chief Inspector Mark Preston read out a statement on behalf of Sam's mother.

Sam, of Norfolk Square, Brighton, was described as a “young, beautiful, loving” daughter, sister and auntie, in the “prime of her life”.

Mrs Shah said: “She was young, beautiful, loving, and a wonderful daughter, sister and auntie who we miss terribly.

“Through the court trial I can understand what happened to Sam and how much effort was taken to try and save her.

“I know we, as a family, will never get over the loss of our Sam.”

DCI Preston added: “Medland has tried to blame his actions on his severe depression but the jury has not let him use this as an excuse.”

Simon Drew, from the Crown Prosecution Service, added: “The defendant is a petulant, immature man who is incapable of dealing with rejection.

“He violently overreacted towards Sam leaving him, lashing out at her in an explosive loss of temper.”

The Argus:

The love-struck couple enjoyed a whirlwind romance after meeting in Luton in 2010 and bonded over heavy metal and computers.

They married one month later and after a stint living with Sam's parents in Luton moved to Medland's mother's house in Peacehaven.

The relationship deteriorated after Medland sunk into a depression over Sam's miscarriage and the unexpected death of his three-year-old daughter from a previous relationship.

Sam eventually left him two weeks before her murder despite Medland's efforts to reconcile.

Bitter that Sam had gone to live with a friend, Medland armed himself with four knives - three which were a wedding present to the pair - and stabbed her multiple times in Queens Square, Brighton.

Horrified onlookers described how Sam lay dying on the ground at about 8.40pm on February 17 2013 as her husband leant over her.

Witnesses described him looking like a “wild animal, crouching over his prey” as he repeatedly stabbed her.

One of Sam's close friends, Ben Kennedy, who lived with her in Norfolk Square, bravely attempted to fight off Medland and suffered injuries to his hands.

The Argus:

Mr Kennedy, who said Sam was “easy-going, confident and kind”, told the court how he tussled with Medland after hearing Sam scream.

He grabbed a knife from Sam's attacker but Medland pulled out more weapons from his jacket sleeves.

Mr Kennedy said: “He held the knife, as he was stabbing her, to his throat and asked me to push the handle in.

“He said he wanted to die with his wife.”

He only stopped the attack to smoke a cigarette.

Sam's last words as she lay bleeding on the street were “I'm dying, he killed me”, before she slipped into unconsciousness.

She died shortly afterwards.

Two of the stab wounds penetrated major arteries, one in her shoulder and one in her abdomen, with a pathologist concluding she bled to death.

The Argus:

Medland admitting the killing but pleaded diminished responsibility to murder.

He said he had sunk into a dark depression following Sam's miscarriage and the death of his daughter.

He said he planned to commit suicide in front of her to cause her emotional pain.

But the court heard he sent text messages to friends about the planned “murder/suicide” as he went to meet her.

One text said: “I could make a joke about murder suicide but that probably wouldn't be funny unless I actually did it.”

He also published a suicide note on Facebook which ended: “I asked for us to go on one last date, to try to make one last happy memory so we aren't just left with the last couple of weeks which have been horrible.

“So I leave you with this, pictures and videos of my wife, the cheating, lying, unloyal whore who destroyed everything I love and believed in.”

Medland then posted graphic images and videos of the couple having sex on the internet, before getting the bus to the murder scene.

The Argus:

Ty Medland vented his feelings on Facebook - with his final bitter message being posted shortly before he stabbed her.

In the days, weeks and months before Sam died, Medland took to the social media site to simultaneously name Sam as a “whore” and declare he loved her.

His messages became more frequent in the days running up to her death.

At one point, six days before he stabbed her, he referred to meeting her in the exact same spot where he was to stab her.

He laughingly said police - “bobbies” - walked by but did nothing.

This message, posted on February 11, said: “Quite funny when Sam was here getting her [stuff] earlier she made a move bringing another guy, who actually grabbed me. I got really p***** off but that held my anger in check.

“I hadn't even noticed that the local bobbies walking past on their beat had stopped and didn't see a reason to get involved, or stop me trying to get answers from her. “After she left they commented on how well I handled the situation.”

He also described his “ideal woman” - saying she “loved cake and cuddles”.

He said: “[She] has morals, is honest, faithful, committed and won't give up at the first sign of trouble.”

At other points in January and February this year he wrote: “Misses his wifey so much, hoping we can work things out. Going to be hard, but I truly believe she's worth it. Would give anything to have her in my arms right now.”

He added: “I do love her so much and I do miss her.”

The Argus:

Hero Ben Kennedy has been nominated for a Local Hero Award in the Argus Achievement Awards.

Mr Kennedy was nominated by members of the public who read about his battle to save Sam in The Argus.

At the time of going to press he had not responded to The Argus's requests for a comment.

But Mrs Shah said: “We would like to thank everyone who tried to help Sam that night, especially her good friend Ben Kennedy.”

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