The family of a much-loved mother and grandmother have spoken of being “broken” after a Luton man was today (Friday) sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 25 years and six months for the violent murder of after the breakdown of his relationship with her daughter.
Jacob Clark, 25, of Links Way, was sentenced at Luton Crown Court after pleading guilty in June to the murder of Diane Cleary, 46, and causing grievous bodily harm to his ex-partner. The attack took place in the home Clark shared with his ex-partner in Turners Road North, Luton, on 20 January – just hours after their relationship had ended.
Diane sustained multiple injuries, including stab wounds and blunt force trauma. Her daughter, who tried to shield her mother from the attack, was also seriously injured.
At sentencing, the court heard that Clark had used a number of weapons including knives, scissors and a brick. After the murder, Clark ordered his ex-partner to cut off his long hair before fleeing the scene.
He was arrested less than 48 hours later when officers guarding the crime scene spotted him attempting to return to the property. He was located having climbed to the ledge of a nearby bridge.
Detective Inspector Adam Bridges, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit led the investigation. He said: “Diane was a much-loved mother, daughter, grandmother, friend and member of her community. She was affectionately known by all who loved her as ‘Nannie Di-Di’. Her loss is felt deeply by so many.
“Diane’s life was taken in the most brutal and senseless way, and the pain her family continues to endure is unimaginable. Her daughter has shown extraordinary bravery, both in the moment and throughout this investigation. The trauma and ongoing suffering Clark has left in his wake can never be matched by any prison term, though we are pleased that today the judge has ordered him to serve a significant minimum sentence in custody for his actions.
“Clark’s actions were brutal and calculated. He responded to the end of a relationship with extreme violence, and showed utter cowardice in attempting to go on the run from police.
“Violence and abuse of any kind against women and girls will never be tolerated. We remain absolutely committed to protecting victims, pursuing perpetrators, and working with our partners to challenge the attitudes and behaviours that enable this kind of harm.”
The family of Diane Cleary have shared personal statements with the media following the sentencing of Jacob Clark for her murder.
Diane’s daughter, who was also the victim of a grievous bodily harm in relation to the same incident, said:
“How can you put any of this into words. I will start off by saying it still hurts. I feel lost without my mum. She was the main person in my life, and Jacob took her away from me.
“Mum would be there for everyone. Mum fed people, as she didn’t like anyone to be hungry. Mum looked after people and mum never judged anyone.
“This doesn’t feel real. I sometimes feel like my mum would still walk through my door after work, dancing, smiling and give me a hug. Mum had a way of making even the worst day feel better.
“The whole family is broken, no one can believe something like this could have happened to someone like mum.
“Mum’s death hasn’t just impacted my family but has affected the community too. Mum would do anything to help others, and it showed how much she was loved, when over 300 people turned up to mum’s funeral.
“Mum will be truly missed by all. Even though this happened months ago, it still feels fresh to me, and I breakdown now and then thinking about mum and what I saw.
“Mum made me a stronger person and if it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have had the courage and strength to confront Jacob and tell him I didn’t want to be with him and leave my home.
“Jacob has taken something from me that could never be replaced. Jacob took my mum, Nannie Di-Di, my everything. You made all our lives better mum, and you will always be a part of all of us.”
Diane’s mother has also shared her personal statement:
“We are writing this statement as broken-hearted parents who have lost our only daughter in the most violent and horrific way possible.
“Diane was murdered by her own daughter’s partner, a man she should’ve been able to trust, whilst she was trying to protect her own daughter.
“The shock, pain and devastation of losing her in such a brutal way has shattered our lives in ways we cannot fully express.
“Our daughter was our world, our life, our first child and only daughter. She was a loving mother, a devoted daughter, wonderful sister and the most amazing Nannie Di-Di and a kind and compassionate person.
“She had so much life ahead of her and so much love to give. To know that she died trying to protect her own child, our granddaughter, is a testament to her courage and the depth of her love, but it is also a constant source of pain.
“No parent should ever have to bury their child, let alone in those circumstances. We also never got to see her and say goodbye – he took that away from us.
“Every holiday, every birthday, every family gathering is now marked by her absence. There is no joy without her, only a painful reminder of what has been taken from us.
“The man who committed this crime not only took our daughter’s life, but he also destroyed the lives of everyone who loved her. The pain is immeasurable. The consequences of his actions ripple outwards every day affecting our mental health, our relationships, our sense of safety and our ability to find peace.”
Bedfordshire Police continues to prioritise tackling male violence against women and girls, with the dedicated Emerald team working to support victims of domestic abuse, investigate all reports and bring offenders to justice.
Anyone affected by domestic abuse or violence is urged to contact police. You can find out more about how to report, and information about support services outside of the police, via their website: Advice about domestic abuse | Bedfordshire Police
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