A man has been jailed for killing his partner after trapping her in his home, restricting her diet to just vodka and ice lollies, and inflicting more than 100 injuries on her.
Tony Devenport, 57, will serve at least 22 years in prison for the death of Stephanie Blundell, 41, who was discovered with extensive bruising across her face and body.
Her father described an ordeal that will “stay with me for the rest of my life” after finding her in the home she shared with Devenport in Canal Street, Chester.
The jury heard that Ms Blundell had lived with her controlling partner for almost two years, but did not have a house key, and he retained her bank card.
She had been battling alcoholism for years when she met him, but the couple achieved a period of sobriety, Chester Crown Court was told.
They relapsed in May last year, however, when they started to drink “heavily” during a trip to Slovakia.
“When intoxicated, you were abusive, aggressive and violent towards her on occasions prior to her death,” Justice Steyn told Devenport.
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Devenport was arrested on suspicion of assaulting Ms Blundell just 10 days before she died, but breached his bail conditions “within minutes” by calling her.
She “never left” his house again after he called a taxi to pick her up.
In those final days, she had “no means of contacting anyone” and was bed-bound.
She had acute pancreatitis and alcoholic ketoacidosis, and the judge said she was “bound to be pleading” for help.
But the defendant, who had bought more than 12 litres of vodka and 72 cans of beer, gave her only alcohol and ice lollies.
“As a result of your actions, Stephanie would have been in pain and fear, and you kept her there, offering little but vodka,” the judge said.
She added that Devenport had strangled Ms Blundell twice in the 48 hours before her death, as well as beating her, causing significant injuries to her brain.
Her father, Philip Blundell, who found her, said: “The thought that she died alone in pain with nobody to comfort her haunts me every day.”
A post-mortem ruled that Ms Blundell died from her multiple injuries, exacerbated by the effects of chronic alcoholism.
Sentencing him on Friday, Justice Steyn told Devenport he had murdered his “compassionate, kind-hearted and courageous” partner of two years.
She said: “Stephanie Blundell died on the morning of July 20, 2025, as a result of fierce, repeated and sustained assaults inflicted by you over the preceding day or two.
“Her father had the most terrible experience a parent can face of visiting her shortly after midday on that Sunday, only to discover that his beloved daughter lay dead, with the marks of the severe beatings you had meted out abundantly clear.”
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The judge added: “She always saw the good in people, including you, never giving up on them. She had an enormous capacity to love and a bright smile that could light up a room.”
In a statement after the sentencing, Ms Blundell’s family paid tribute to “one of the most radiant souls you could ever hope to meet”.
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The statement read: “She was kind-hearted, quick-witted and effortlessly stylish. Her warmth and compassion have been evident throughout this trial and that brings us some comfort that her true loving nature has been seen by so many.”
Detective Inspector Andrea Price of Cheshire Constabulary said: “Stephanie was loved and cherished amongst family and friends, and although today marks the day her killer is brought to justice, I want Stephanie to be the one who we remember.
“While no sentence can ever bring Stephanie back, I hope today’s result provides her loved ones with some comfort in knowing that Devenport has now been held accountable for what he has done.”
