Joshua Jacques Sentenced to Life for Quadruple Murder in London

The 29-year-old claimed the murders were a 'sacrifice' after a judge highlighted the role of cannabis in his actions.

Joshua Jacques, 29, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 46 years for the murder of his girlfriend, Samantha Drummonds, and three of her family members in April 2022.
The murders, described by the judge as a 'horrific catalogue' committed in 'the most brutal of circumstances,' were carried out after Jacques' increased intake of skunk cannabis.
Jacques claimed he committed the murders as a 'sacrifice' and was found by police in a praying position, screaming for forgiveness.
Despite admitting to manslaughter, Jacques denied murder on the grounds of mental illness, but an Old Bailey jury found him guilty of four counts of murder.
The case has sparked discussions on the dangers of cannabis, with the judge highlighting its 'deleterious effect on mental health and its potential to cause psychosis.'