From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk  By Kent Online reporter, 19 October 2001.

Pub landlord gets life for killing wife.

A PUB landlord has been given a life sentence for the murder of his wife. Martin Illing, 41, licensee of the Saxon Chief in Queens Road, Maidstone, had denied the charge claiming that he was only guilty of the manslaughter of Jennifer Illing by reason of provocation.

A jury at Maidstone Crown Court heard how Illing flew into a rage at the pub and killed 39-year-old Mrs Illing because he could not accept that their marriage was over. The court was told Illing had been unfaithful to his wife but then became possessive of her. He suspected that she was having an affair, but did not know her new love was Mark Newitt, a customer at the pub.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Kent Online reporter, 19 October 2001.

Wife killer had 'string of affairs'.

A PUB landlord who is beginning a life sentence for stabbing his wife to death was a serial love cheat, says his sister-in-law. The full extent of Martin Illing's adulterous behaviour and the heartache it caused his wife Jennifer has been revealed by her youngest sister.

Illing, 41, who ran the Saxon Chief pub in Maidstone, had denied murder claiming that he was only guilty of manslaughter by reason of provocation. But a jury at Maidstone Crown Court unanimously convicted him of the murder charge. Mrs Illing's sister, Edith Hitchcock, 34, who lives in France, said: "I spoke to my sister the Saturday before she died. She was happy and had made up her mind to leave home. Jen knew about the affairs but held strong family values close to her heart. She didn't want to split up the family, but had had enough.

"At the end of the day Martin's marriage vows meant nothing to him. My sister was head over heals in love with him for sometime, but there had to be a cut off point. She told me about a new man she had met but it wasn't a physical relationship. It was more of a friendship.

"She wasn't leaving Martin for him. She was going to buy another pub in Maidstone and run it herself. The sad thing is she kept saying Martin could never hurt her again. She had been so hurt by him she said he could never do her any more harm."

Mrs Hitchcock added: "I spoke to Martin four hours before he killed my sister and he told me he had confessed everything to her. He said she was leaving him and he had confessed to all his affairs. He said he had also told her about a longstanding affair he had been having with a woman called Cheryl.

"This was an incredibly jealous and incredibly possessive man who tried to dominate and control his wife. Only one person knows if he truly loved his wife, however, and that's him."

Mrs Hitchcock praised Det Insp Nigel Shambler for his help during the case. She stressed: "He has offered such support for me and my family right from January. I can't thank him enough."

From the https://www.pressreader.com 21 Mar 2008.

Wife-killer may be free within three years.

A PUBLICAN who butchered his wife in a frenzy sparked by jealousy will be free to apply for parole within three years due to his profound remorse and exceptional progress behind bars.

Martin Paul Illing, 48, was jailed for life in October 2001 at Maidstone Crown Court after he was convicted of murdering Jennifer Illing, his wife of 20 years.

Illing throttled his wife and stabbed her 20 times after their marriage hit the rocks and she told him their relationship was over. He claimed he saw red and attacked her when she also disclosed that she was seeing someone else.

After reviewing Illing’s case at London’s Royal Courts of Justice, Mrs Justice Swift ruled he must serve a minimum jail “tariff” of 10 years for his crime. That was a reduction of two years on his previously recommended minimum.

The judge revealed that Illing’s life was dogged by tragedy even before the macabre events of January 19, 2001, when Mrs Illing was murdered.

The couple had wed in 1980, running the Saxon Chief pub, in Queens Road, Maidstone, and although they had two children, two other sons had earlier died in infancy.

It was clear that Illing was “much attached” to his wife, said the judge. Although Illing had “lost control” when he lashed out, he had persisted in his attack after she tried to summon help, even jettisoning his weapon for a larger kitchen knife to pursue his stricken wife.

Mrs Justice Swift said he had carried out a determined and bloody attack, demonstrating a clear intention to kill.

But she also noted Illing’s “exceptional” progress in jail, his deep remorse and his recognition of the crime’s impact on his children.

“He is very highly regarded by all who know him,” said the judge.

The Home Secretary had earlier recommended a 12-year tariff, but Mrs Justice Swift said Illing’s prison conduct merited a 10-year minimum.

That means that, after time spent on remand is taken into account, Illing will be free to apply for parole in January 2011.

However, the judge emphasised that he will only then be freed if the Parole Board consider it safe to do so. When released, he will remain on perpetual “life licence”, subject to prison recall if he puts a foot wrong.