A Bexley man has been sentenced to life in prison after brutally stabbing the mother of his children to death while their terrified kids hid in a nearby room.
Tony Curant, 33, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years on Friday (August 2) for the murder of Leila Young. The horrific incident took place on January 16 at their home on Penhill Road. The court heard that Leila had been planning to leave the abusive relationship before Curant attacked her.
In the weeks leading up to her death, Leila described Curant as “the biggest bully she had ever met” and expressed her desire to end their relationship. Despite her efforts to move on, Curant subjected her to a frenzied attack, inflicting 57 stab wounds, including 18 to her head, face, and neck.
‘Is Mum Still Alive?’
Curant and Leila had been in an on-and-off relationship since 2006. They had three children together, but the relationship was marred by Curant’s abusive behaviour. By December 2023, Leila had reached her breaking point, accusing Curant of raping her and beating her in front of their children. She had found a new flat and was making plans to leave him.
On the day of the murder, Leila left a voice message for her mother, indicating that she might need backup. She also sent a recording of her crying as Curant accused her of infidelity. When emergency services arrived following Curant’s 999 call, they found Leila in a pool of blood. She managed to tell paramedics, “Please save me. I can’t feel my body. Tony done it.”
Their children, found in the next room, asked officers, “Is mum still alive?” and revealed that Curant had taken their phones to prevent them from calling for help. Leila died in the hospital a week later, on January 23.
Family Devastated by Senseless Violence
Leila’s mother, Caroline Young, shared a heart-wrenching victim impact statement: “My beautiful daughter Leila was brutally taken from us all by the father of her children and the man she trusted. The man she tried so hard to help. Our family has been shattered by this senseless act of violence. Joy and laughter have been replaced by tears and grief.”
Curant’s Escape and Arrest
After the attack, Curant fled the scene, contacting his friend Richard Ray and admitting to the murder. Ray picked Curant up, bought cigarettes and alcohol, and dropped him off in Dartford, where Curant hid in a brothel until his arrest on January 20. During his arrest, Curant claimed that drugs and alcohol had driven him to commit the crime. He later pleaded guilty to murder.
Judge Condemns Curant’s Actions
Judge David Aaronberg KC described the murder as “utterly horrific” and noted Curant’s history of violence and drug dealing. “She must have been completely terrified. You used a knife ferociously, repeatedly stabbing her. You did this knowing your children were close by. They were traumatised by your conduct,” he said, sentencing Curant to life in prison with a minimum term of 21 years.
Ray, 34, from Swanley, has pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and will be sentenced next week.
