The widow of a distinguished NHS surgeon who was brutally murdered during a carjacking has walked free from court after admitting to perverting the course of justice.
Saskhia Easton, 34, received a suspended prison sentence after it was revealed she made payments to the family of the man who shot her husband, Dr. Edward Easton, in a botched car theft.
A Life Cut Short in Violent Ambush
Dr. Edward Easton, a 36-year-old trauma and orthopaedic surgeon described as "brilliant" by colleagues, was ambushed while sitting in his BMW X3 outside his home in Altrincham, Greater Manchester. The fatal incident occurred on November 21, 2022, when career criminal Christopher Mervyn approached the vehicle demanding the keys.
When Dr. Easton refused to hand over his car, Mervyn produced a handgun and shot the doctor through the open window at point-blank range. The beloved surgeon was pronounced dead at the scene, leaving behind his wife and their young family.
Widow's Fateful Decision Revealed
Manchester Crown Court heard how Saskhia Easton, in the aftermath of the tragedy, made the catastrophic decision to contact Mervyn's family. Prosecutors revealed she transferred money to them and engaged in communication that ultimately compromised the police investigation.
His Honour Judge Nicholas Dean KC told the court: "Your actions were born out of grief and a misplaced sense of trying to protect your family, but they nonetheless struck at the very heart of our justice system."
Killer's Fate and Final Sentencing
Christopher Mervyn, 30, was subsequently convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 32 years. The court described him as a "dangerous individual" with an extensive criminal history.
In delivering Saskhia Easton's sentence, the judge acknowledged the "extraordinary circumstances" of her case, noting she had already suffered the "ultimate loss" and was acting as the sole parent to their children.
The 16-month prison sentence was suspended for two years, with the judge concluding that immediate custody would cause "exceptional hardship" to the children who had already lost their father.
