Jordan Quailey murdered mother in Bedford as children played
A man has been jailed for at least 16 years after stabbing his girlfriend to death at a Bedfordshire house where eight children were playing.
Jordan Quailey murdered mother-of-six Christine Peters, 31, in a row at their home in Bedford, on 29 April last year.
Quailey, 30, left her body on a sofa and told the children she was asleep, Luton Crown Court heard.
He was handed the life sentence and minimum tariff after being convicted of murder.
Quailey was father to four of Ms Peters' six children, all under the age of 10.
On the morning of her death she was also looking after a friend's two children.
The court heard Quailey and Ms Peters, who lived in Wadsworth Court, Bedford, had a volatile relationship and there were incidents of domestic violence.
A neighbour heard the couple arguing between 08:00 and 09:00 BST on 29 April last year - the day of Kate Middleton and Prince William's Royal wedding.
The argument lasted just 10 minutes, before "everything went quiet", the court heard.
Hours later, Quailey contacted police and told a 999 operator that he had thrown a knife at his partner, adding: "I think she has passed away."
He was arrested there the next day, after spending the night with another woman, the court heard.
Post-mortem tests showed Ms Peters died from a single knife wound to the chest.
Quailey, who did not give evidence during the trial, was found guilty on Wednesday.
Judge Richard Foster said the attack was not pre-planned but added Quailey had not shown any remorse, had moved the body and had not called the emergency service to try to save her.
The judge said spending the night with a girlfriend afterwards was "callous".