Carrie Slater’s family pay tribute to ‘beloved daughter, sister and auntie’ as her murderer is jailed for more than 30 years

The family of a woman shot dead by her partner have paid tribute to a 'beloved daughter, sister and auntie' on the day her killer has been sentenced to more than 30 years in prison.

Carrier Slater who was 37 was shot by her then partner Richard Basson inside their home in Long Clawson, near Melton, on 21st September last year.

Today at Leicester Crown Court Richard Basson (45) was sentenced after being found guilty of her murder despite telling 999 police operators at the time that Ms Slater ‘had been stabbed in the face with a pool cue’.

Yesterday (Tuesday 26 March), at Leicester Crown Court, 45-year-old Basson was convicted of one count of murder. Today (Wednesday), he was jailed for life to serve a minimum of 32 years.

At a previous court hearing he pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited firearm and possession of ammunition without a certificate. This afternoon he was sentenced to six years' imprisonment for the former offence and 30 months for the latter. Basson will serve these sentences concurrently.

Richard Basson will serve at least 32 years behind bars. Photo: Leicestershire Police

Shortly before 6.45pm on 21 September last year, police and the East Midlands Ambulance Service were called to the home of Richard Basson and Carrie Slater, in Kings Road, following a 999 call made by Basson in which he said Ms Slater ‘had been stabbed in the face with a pool cue’

Emergency services attended and found Ms Slater, 37, was found in a bedroom with a significant injury to the front of her head. Two dates later her life support was withdrawn.

Basson, who remained in custody, was further arrested on suspicion of her murder. He was charged the following day.

The family of Carrie Slater have released the following statement via Leicestershire Police.

They said: "There isn’t a day that goes by where we don’t think of Carrie – our beloved daughter, sister and auntie.

“We can’t put into words how we’re feeling and we’re still grieving for her. We’re pleased justice has been done and as a family, we can start to heal.

“We are grateful to the support we’ve received from friends and loved ones since Carrie was taken from us, but we know that nothing we say or do will bring her back.”

Carrie Slater's family have paid tribute to the 37 year old. Photo: Leicestershire Police

Detective Inspector Emma Matts, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) major crime team, was the senior investigating officer. She said: “My thoughts and condolences go out to Carrie’s family and loved ones, who I know are still struggling to come to terms with their loss and understand why Carrie was killed.

Police outside the couple's home in Long Clawson in September 2023. Photo: NEMM

“Hopefully today’s outcome provides a degree of closure to those who were closest to her.

“Only Basson knows why he killed a woman he claimed to love. He’s never explained his actions. He’s never shown any remorse for killing another person.”