Man Sentenced for Thame Golf Club Killing

19 March 2012, 18:25 | Updated: 19 March 2012, 18:39

A man's admitted killing a restaurant manager at an exclusive golf club in Oxfordshire.

Jonathan Warg Limani, 34, who used to live at the The Oxfordshire Golf Club, today pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.

The prosecution at Oxford Crown Court accepted the plea that he was suffering from an abnormality of mind when he killed 32-year-old Chris Varian. He will serve a minimum of 19 years.

Mr Varian's body was found in a loading bay at the club on the afternoon of Saturday 21 August 2010 - he had been decapitated.

Limani (pictured) was initially charged with and faced a trial for murder. However, the Crown Prosecution Service subsequently received three separate psychiatric reports agreeing that due to his mental health state, Limani would face the charge of manslaughter by diminished responsibility.

In this case, Limani will be sent to a secure hospital for further psychiatric treatment and, should his mental health improve sufficiently he will be discharged into the custody of the prison service.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Tolmie, Senior Investigating Officer, said: 

"Thames Valley Police has a duty to thoroughly investigate all incidents of this nature and present the facts together with the Crown Prosecution Service to a court.

"Every murder is by its very nature traumatic and very emotional for the family and friends involved but this particular case is horrific due to the level of injuries inflicted.

"This may be the end of the judicial chapter but as far as the family are concerned, their pain and loss will always remain. My thoughts continue to be with them at this very difficult time."