Former soldier who killed wife while children slept is jailed for life

The husband of Leighanne Cameron has been jailed for life after he murdered his wife at her home in Mid Calder as their children slept.

Erhan Havaleoglu pictured in the Turkish Army.

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Erhan Havaleoglu, 36, was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow after being found guilty of the murder at an earlier trial.

He was told to serve a minimum of 20 years before he is eligible for parole.

Erhan Havaleoglu has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering his wife, Leighanne Cameron. Picture; PA

Leighanne Cameron was stabbed ten times in the neck and twice in the back after spending the day looking after their children.

Detective Chief Inspector Raymond Brown of Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team said:

“Leighanne’s death has been absolutely devastating for her family and those close to her.

“Her five-year-old daughter and two-year-old son have been robbed of their loving mum in the most horrific of circumstances.

Leighanne Cameron

“Havaleoglu has callously refused to admit responsibility for Leighanne’s murder ever since, despite extensive evidence against him.

“Unfortunately, nothing can undo his actions that day but hopefully the outcome at court provides some form of comfort and closure to Leighanne’s family and friends.”

The court heard the killer struck shortly after discovering Leighanne (29) was in a relationship with another man.

Judge Johanna Johnston QC told Turkish-born Havaleoglu that he was guilty of a “cruel, merciless and extremely violent murder”.

Calderhouse Road in Mid Calder where the body of Leighanne Cameron was discovered. Picture; Jon Savage

She told Havaleoglu: “Leighanne Cameron was much loved and had everything to live for.”

The judge also remarked Havaleoglu maintained his innocence.

At that, he shouted back from the dock: “I will still continue to, my lady.”

Erhan Havaleoglu has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering his wife, Leighanne Cameron. Picture; PA

Many of Leighanne’s family and friends hugged and sobbed after the hearing. They were too upset to comment afterwards.

Havaleoglu attacked the mum shortly after she returned from work in October 2015. The killer had been spending the day looking after their children before he struck.

He then fled to Edinburgh where it is thought en-route he ditched the murder weapon and the clothes he had been wearing.

Leighanne’s body was discovered by her lover Philip Kilkenny.

Mr Kilkenny called police and revealed Havaleoglu had told Leighanne “she’d never get to love another man”.

Havaleoglu – a former soldier – was later held for the murder. However, at a trial, he denied the killing instead pinning the blame on Mr Kilkenny.

Leighanne Cameron

The court heard the “reality” of Leighanne’s new relationship had come to “the full attention” of Havaleoglu shortly before the murder.

Ian Duguid, defending, this came from a chat the killer had with one of his young children.

The QC said this discovery was suggested to be “the catalyst” for the fatal attack.

Mr Duguid: “This is an event that pushed him beyond what his previous behaviour had been.”

Havaleoglu had also been accused of assaulting three other women, but he was cleared of those charges at the trial.