A senior police officer has made a statement following the sentencing of Calogero Ricotta for murdering his wife and stepson in Ugley.
Ricotta, 64, was given a life sentence at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday, February 18, after being convicted of murdering Maria Nugara, 54, and her son Giuseppe 'Joe' Morreale, 29 on May 28 last year.
Following the sentencing, senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Lydia George made a statement outside the court.
"Maria was a loving mother, grandmother, sister and daughter who devoted her life to her family.
"Joe, a much loved son, brother, nephew and grandson, both who have now had their futures taken away from them at the hands of Calogero Ricotta.
"I would personally like to commend the courage and resilience of their family, friends and loved ones in the face of these unthinkable circumstances.
"They have all carried themselves with remarkable dignity throughout this ordeal.
"Maria found the courage to stand up to him and start divorce proceedings.
"However, he told her that dead or alive, she would never leave their marriage and only death would separate them.
"Ricotta had slept with a knife under his bedside table, falsely claiming it was to defend himself from Joe.
"When Maria arrived home the evening of May 28 at 9.47pm, Ricotta was waiting for her.
"She was unaware he was armed with the knife he would use to kill her. Joe heroically went to help his mother. Trying to protect her from Ricotta cost him his life.
"Ricotta’s claims of self-defence were taken apart by the forensic evidence and CCTV we gathered, and the witnesses who had to relive these horrific moments to give their statements.
"It is important he has now faced justice, but today is not about Ricotta.
"It is about Maria, Joe and their family and friends. I would like to thank the family again for their bravery throughout this case, and ask that their privacy at this time is respected."
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