Two women have been sentenced to at least 19 years in prison for the murder of a carer in her own home in Braintree, Essex. Amy Keely, 40, and Charlotte James, 29, were jailed at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday, October 16, for the killing of Helen Bloomfield, 52, in March 2024.
Attack in victim's home
The court heard that Keely stabbed Ms Bloomfield multiple times and James smothered her with a pillow after the pair went to her home on Aetheric Road in Braintree in the early hours of March 20. Ms Bloomfield's body was discovered around a month later on April 19.
Judge Christopher Morgan said: “This was a sustained and violent attack on a vulnerable person in her own home leading to a senseless death of a woman who was kind and generous. She was generous and kind to others who shared those same vulnerabilities. Her death has caused enduring misery.”
Victim's family tribute
Kathryn Clark, Ms Bloomfield's niece, described her aunt in court as "kind, caring and generous". She added: "She would have given her last penny to help someone else. When she walked into a room she was a ray of sunshine no matter what was happening."
Ms Bloomfield, who worked as a carer, had befriended Keely and James as part of a group of drug users in Braintree. Her phone data showed regular contact with Keely in the days before her death. The pair were let into her home, but an altercation took place inside. The cause of the argument was said to be known only to James and Keely.
Sentencing and investigation
The judge said: "She was smothered by you, Charlotte James, with a pillow and ultimately killed whilst she lay on the bed. I’m sure that you, Amy Keely, used a sharp force implement or implements."
Sasha Wass, defending Keely, said: "It’s difficult to understand or explain any motivation as far as Ms Keely was concerned. There was no intention to steal or any suggestion of any personal grievance and this was not a case of any premeditation. Mrs Bloomfield must have let her visitors into the flat and whatever happened then was entirely unplanned. Obviously something happened in the flat on the night in March two years ago. Whatever it was appears to be spontaneous and almost certainly fuelled by the consumption of Class A drugs."
Craig Rush, defending James, added: "She's somebody who has lived her entire adult life through a veil of alcohol and drug use."
DCI Greg Wood, who led the investigation, said: "This sentencing brings an end to the court proceedings in this case but the pain for Helen’s friends and family do not go away. My thoughts, and those of my team, are with them today. I hope this sentence represents justice for them and helps them move forward. Amy Keely and Charlotte James carried out a despicable and cynical assault on Helen, killing her for their own benefit. They were people she knew and trusted. It is difficult to imagine the fear she must have experienced as they worked together to kill her. I am pleased that the work of my team has ensured they will both remain behind bars for a significant amount of time."
