War veteran who stabbed his Britain’s Got Talent singer girlfriend 70 times over sex is found guilty of murder

n Iraq war veteran who stabbed his Britain’s Got Talent singer girlfriend 70 times because of sex has been found guilty of murder.

41-year-old Desmond Sylva brutally attacked his girlfriend Simonne Kerr, 31, in a violent rage at his flat in Clapham, south London, on August 15 last year.

The former soldier, who served in Iraq and Kosovo, admitted manslaughter but denied murder, citing depression. 

Giving evidence, Sylva said: “I did not mean to kill her. I had deep feelings for her. When I slashed the knife across her throat at that split second I thought I had a mental breakdown.”

Prosecutor, Oliver Glasgow QC, told jurors it was an all-too-familiar case of “sexual desire, appalling violence and desperate lies”.

He said: “He wanted to restart a sexual relationship with Simonne Kerr. When he did not get what he wanted, he could not control his anger and he exploded.”

After three days of deliberations, the Old Bailey jury delivered its guilty verdict today, with Judge Wendy Joseph QC adjourning his sentencing until June 28.

Kerr, whose six-year-old son, Kavele, died of sickle cell disease, was part of the NHS choir B Positive on the ITV talent show.

Daily Mail reported that Kerr met Sylva through the dating app Tinder and arranged to visit his flat after finishing her shift at Guys and St Thomas’ hospital on the morning of 15 August.

According to the publication, Sylva attacked her in bed with a 20cm kitchen knife, slashing her throat and repeatedly stabbing her face and neck. Afterwards, he called 999 and said: “I’ve just committed a murder. I’m ex-army and I’ve got lots of mental health issues.”

Glasgow told the jury: “It is hard to imagine how terrifying the last few minutes of Simonne Kerr’s life must have been as she struggled to prevent the man who was supposed to care for her from murdering her.

“The moment she realised the man who had been pursuing her wanted more than a relationship and in fact wanted to kill her must have been utterly horrifying.”

The jurors also heard that Sylva, who served 10 years in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers before being discharged on medical grounds had a history of depression, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder, and had problems controlling his temper.

In 2010, Sylva throttled his mother, Patricia King, telling her repeatedly: “You’re dead,” jurors heard. King reported the assault to police, but later withdrew the complaint because he had been depressed and suicidal.

Sylva’s ex-wife had also accused him of being violent, but jurors were told the allegation was unproven