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Triple killer Theodore Johnson has jail term extended

A man who killed three of his partners - including his first wife who was pushed off the balcony of their flat in Wolverhampton - has had his jail sentenced extended to 30 years.

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Theodore Johnson, and right, victim Yvonne Johnson

Top judges said the original 26-year sentence handed to Theodore Johnson was 'unduly lenient'.

The killer served a three-year sentence after being found guilty in 1981 of the manslaughter of his wife Yvonne, who fell from the ninth-floor balcony of their flat in Franchise House, Blakenhall.

He was locked up again in January for brutally murdering 51-year-old Angela Best at his north London home after she ended their 20-year relationship and met another man.

He beat her with a claw hammer and strangled her with a dressing gown cord after she went to his flat to help him with a passport application in December 2016.

The 64-year-old had another previous manslaughter conviction to his name another killing another former partner in 1992.

Three senior judges at the Court of Appeal in London ruled yesterday that his latest sentence was not severe enough and increased his tariff to 30 years following an application by Solicitor General Robert Buckland.

Lord Justice Holroyde said: "We accept the submission of the Solicitor General that the sentencing of Mr Johnson was unduly lenient."

In 1981, he was was found guilty by reason of 'provocation' of killing his wife Yvonne. He claimed he had been bullied by his then wife.

Then, in 1993, a couple of years before meeting Ms Best, he was convicted of strangling his common law wife Yvonne Bennett with a belt at their home in London before trying to hang himself.