A mother has been revealed as a true monster after carrying out an unimaginable crime against her own children. Veronique John, 50, brutally murdered her son, 11-year-old Tristan, and left her daughter, seven, with life-threatening injuries in their Ashton-under-Lyne home.
The court heard how John, who had a history of mental health issues, subjected her children to a violent attack. Her daughter, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found with at least 15 stab wounds and a catastrophic brain injury. Tragically, young Tristan could not be saved.
A Chilling Sequence of Events
What makes this case particularly disturbing is the calculated behaviour that followed the murders. After the horrific violence, John did not call for help or express remorse. Instead, she coldly ordered a pizza delivery, acting as if nothing had happened.
When police arrived at the scene on June 10, 2022, they discovered a house of horrors. The children were found in an upstairs bedroom, with Tristan already deceased. John herself was found with self-inflicted injuries, having stabbed herself in the stomach.
A Life Sentence for Unforgivable Crimes
At Manchester Crown Court, Veronique John was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 26 years. Mr Justice Goose condemned her actions, stating she had murdered her son and attempted to murder her daughter in a "brutal and cruel" attack.
The court was told that John had been suffering from a "serious mental illness" at the time, but the judge emphasised that this did not diminish the gravity of her crimes against the two vulnerable children who trusted her completely.
A Community in Mourning
The case has sent shockwaves through the Ashton-under-Lyne community in Tameside. Neighbours and local residents have been left struggling to comprehend how a mother could commit such atrocities against her own children.
Detective Superintendent Phil Reade described the incident as "truly heartbreaking," highlighting that the young girl who survived will require lifelong care due to the severity of her injuries. The case stands as a stark reminder of the hidden tragedies that can occur behind closed doors.
