Ugley: Murderer sentenced for killing mother and son

Maria Nugara, 54, and her 29-year-old son Giuseppe Morreale – known as Joe – lived in Cambridge Road, Ugley and died on Tuesday, May 28 after Calogero Ricotta stabbed them both to death. 

Officers were at the scene within minutes where he was quickly arrested and later charged with two counts of murder and one count of causing actual bodily harm to a third victim, who was present in the address at the time.

Calogero Ricotta (Image: Essex Police) Ricotta’s trial began at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday, February 3. The jury of seven women and five men listened to three weeks of evidence before deliberating for less than four hours and finding him guilty of all three charges.

He will serve a life sentence with a minimum term of 34 years in prison.

In her sentencing remarks, The Honourable Mrs Justice Dame Mary Stacey said: "I cannot add to the words of family read in court today that describe the impact of Maria and Joe on so many, and the void that is left. It was humbling to hear them.

"Joe’s courage standing up to you is in start contrast to the cowardly way you killed both of them.

"You used controlling and coercive behaviour to control Maria. Your vanity, pride and ego meant you would not agree to a divorce.

Maria Nugara (Image: Essex Police) "Instead you tried to intimidate Maria into staying in a loveless marriage.

"By murdering your wife, you have effectively orphaned your children.

"Their lives will never be the same."

Detective Inspector Lydia George, senior investigating officer in Essex Police's Serious Crime Directorate, described Ricotta as "cold, callous and lacking in any remorse".

She said: "At the centre of this case are Maria and Joe, a mother and son who have had their futures taken away by Ricotta.

"I would like to commend the courage, bravery and resilience of their family and friends in the face of these unthinkable circumstances.

"Their lives will never be the same due to his reprehensible actions.

"He was calculating, controlling and violent and said to Maria ‘dead or alive, you will never leave this marriage’.

"Joe intervened to try and protect his mother to the end, however, received horrific injuries that ultimately took his life. 

Giuseppe Morreale (Image: Essex Police) "Ricotta then refused to admit to his crimes, subjecting all their loved ones to months of stress and turmoil.

"His claims of self-defence were completely dismantled by the evidence our officers compiled for this case.

"He now faces spending the rest of his life in prison."

A victim statement from Maria and Joe's family said: "We make this statement together, united, but nothing we can say will capture the loss every one of us feels without Maria and Joe.

"The grief we feel is unimaginable and reaches well beyond our immediate family.

"They were both cherished and loved by friends, colleagues and those in the community who are still coming to terms with their senseless killings.

"We have found a strength and bravery within each other to get through the painful months leading to this trial – this has come from Maria and Joe themselves, and we will always carry that with us.

"They were kind and pure-hearted people. They were the best parts of all of us."