Robert Peters jailed: Devastated mother's 'trauma' over death of daughter, 7, at hands of her father

Victim: Sophia was strangled by her father
Ella Wills30 April 2018
WEST END FINAL

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A mother has told of her struggle to come to terms with the murder of her "beautiful" seven-year-old daughter at the hands of her husband.

Kittiya Promsat said she was "devastated" by Sophia's death, adding that she feels "betrayed" by her cheating spouse Robert Peters, 56, who was on Monday jailed for life for murdering their daughter.

"The third of November 2017 is a day that my life changed forever," she said in a statement read at the Old Bailey. "My beautiful daughter Sophia was hurt by my husband Robert, a man who I never thought would hurt (her)."

The millionaire antiques dealer throttled Sophia with a dressing gown cord while alone with her at his £1 million family home in Wimbledon, south-west London, last November.

Jailed: Robert Peters

The court heard how "duplicitous" Peters researched the killing on the internet but kept his plans secret from child protection services who assessed him as no risk to others after two suicide attempts in 2017.

Former Israeli soldier Peters, who suffered from depression, pleaded guilty to Sophia's murder on the third day of his trial after previously denying the charge.

Ms Promsat added: "From the time Sophia was taken to St George's Hospital I was with her until she died. I could not believe Robert killed Sophia because I thought he loved her so much.

"Since Sophia died I have been on a rollercoaster of emotions.

Sophia is pictured smiling and holding a homemade card for her parents bearing the message: "I love you Mum and Dad"

"Sophia was a beautiful, loving, active, adventurous, brave and outgoing girl. She loved to dance and sing. I would give anything I have to be able to bring my daughter back."

At first, Ms Promsat said she was "worried and concerned" about her husband's mental health.

But she added: "Now I no longer worry about him. I don't care about him as he killed our beautiful daughter.

"I always think to myself if Robert was ill why didn't he kill himself, why did he kill my innocent daughter.

"I wish if only Robert had permanently left and set up home with his mistress, I would still have (Sophia)."

She said she cried constantly and suffered sleeplessness because "I think more about what Robert did to Sophia".

After the killer was jailed for life with a minimum of 24 years on Monday, Ms Promsat said: "I am absolutely devastated by Sophia's death. I am finding it hard to come to terms with her death and the circumstances in which she died.

"I feel betrayed and angry at my husband, who was supposed to look after and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our family at all costs.

"My priority now is to remain positive. Peace and tranquillity is what we need. It is going to be very hard for us.

"We know that most people will appreciate this and we thank our friends and family for their constant support in this traumatic time. We hope that others will understand that peace is important for us."

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