Entwistle to spend life in US jail

The former IT consultant showed no emotion as members of his wife's family read out statements in court expressing their heartache and condemning his "shameful and selfish act".

Entwistle, 29, from Kilton, Worksop, was convicted on Wednesday of shooting his wife Rachel, 27, and nine-month-old daughter Lillian at their home in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, on January 20 2006. Judge Diane Kottmyer passed a sentence of life in jail without the possibility of parole at Middlesex County Superior Court in Woburn, Massachusetts.

"They defy comprehension because they involved the planned and deliberate murders of the defendant's wife and nine-month-old child, in violation of the bonds we recognise as central to our identity of human beings, those of husband and wife and parent and child," she said.

"What is all too clear and easily comprehended is the magnitude of the loss and the pain suffered by Rachel and Lillian Entwistle's extended family and friends."

Rachel's mother, Priscilla Matterazzo, attacked the defence claim that her daughter killed her baby before shooting herself in the head after becoming depressed.

She told the court in an impact statement: "Our dreams as parent and grandparent have been shattered by the shameful and selfish act of one person, Neil Entwistle. For him to have tried to hide behind an accusation of murder-suicide of this beautiful woman and perfect mother is low and despicable."

Mrs Matterazzo said Rachel's family and friends in the US and England had been "sentenced without the luxury of a trial by jury". Her husband Joe Matterazzo added: "Neil, you have been judged today by a jury of your peers on earth, but one day you will face the ultimate judgment of your horrific deeds and betrayals."

Rachel's older brother, Jerome Sousa, spoke of looking after his little sister when they were children and of the pain of never seeing his niece grow up. He said in his statement: "Every day we have to live with the heartbreak of Neil's betrayals."

Entwistle was given the opportunity to address the court but declined. The judge also imposed a ten-year probation sentence for two firearms offences and ordered that Entwistle should not profit from his crimes by writing a book. Entwistle's parents Cliff and Yvonne, from Worksop, Notts, were in court to see their son smile at them as he was led away to begin his sentence.