Killer Marcus Coates will be sentenced today (Friday) for the manslaughter of Jennie Banner.

He killed the 32-year-old at her flat in Chatham High Street in August, last year, strangling her with a belt.

Coates, 44, was convicted of manslaughter but cleared of murder by a jury at Maidstone Crown Court last month.

He is due to return to court for sentencing after Judge Philip Statman warned he was considering a discretionary life sentence.

The court heard Coates had previously been convicted of a sex attack on a woman in front of her child.

Jennie’s father David Banner said afterwards: "Losing Jennie has left a huge hole in all our lives. We are all heartbroken.

"Anyone who knew Jennie would say how loveable she was."

Coates, of Ernest Road, Chatham, did not give evidence during the trial.