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15 Jun 18
16:10
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05 Apr 06
An Army sergeant has been jailed for life for trying to murder his wife by sabotaging her parachutes.
Victoria Cilliers, 41, survived a 4,000ft (1,220m) fall at Netheravon airfield, Wiltshire, in April 2015.
Emile Cilliers, 38, of the Royal Army Physical Training Corps, also tried to kill her by causing a gas leak at the family home.
At Winchester Crown Court, Cilliers was told he would have to serve a minimum of 18 years.
In sentencing, Mr Justice Sweeney told Cilliers he was "of quite exceptional callousness and a person who would stop at nothing to gratify your own desires".
He described the evidence as "overwhelming" and said Cilliers had three motives.
They were the money he thought he would receive in life insurance, the concern that his wife - a senior officer - could ruin his Army career, and because his wife's death would clear the way for a new life with another woman.
"You continued to pursue your selfish financial, emotional, and sexual desires," said the judge.
Her light weight was also attributed as a factor in helping to minimise her injuries.
Mr Justice Sweeney said Mrs Cilliers, although recovered physically, had sustained serious and long-lasting psychological damage.
"This was wicked offending of extreme gravity", he told Cilliers.
Cilliers, who was an experienced parachute packer, tampered with equipment he knew his wife was going to use.
Victoria Cilliers, 41, survived a 4,000ft (1,220m) fall at Netheravon airfield, Wiltshire, in April 2015.
Emile Cilliers, 38, of the Royal Army Physical Training Corps, also tried to kill her by causing a gas leak at the family home.
At Winchester Crown Court, Cilliers was told he would have to serve a minimum of 18 years.
In sentencing, Mr Justice Sweeney told Cilliers he was "of quite exceptional callousness and a person who would stop at nothing to gratify your own desires".
He described the evidence as "overwhelming" and said Cilliers had three motives.
They were the money he thought he would receive in life insurance, the concern that his wife - a senior officer - could ruin his Army career, and because his wife's death would clear the way for a new life with another woman.
"You continued to pursue your selfish financial, emotional, and sexual desires," said the judge.
Her light weight was also attributed as a factor in helping to minimise her injuries.
Mr Justice Sweeney said Mrs Cilliers, although recovered physically, had sustained serious and long-lasting psychological damage.
"This was wicked offending of extreme gravity", he told Cilliers.
Cilliers, who was an experienced parachute packer, tampered with equipment he knew his wife was going to use.
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If she knew he had murderous tendencies she wouldn't have fallen for him
It's what can happen when you air your grievances. Their marriage was already in free-fall.
"experienced parachute packer" - sounds like the beginnings of a good tongue twister.
The Duchess of Sussex suspects her experienced parachute packer.
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