GTA fan who killed his ex has sentence extended

3 hours ago

Ethan GudgeSouth of England

Robert Richens has had his sentence for the murder of Rachael Vaughan extended

Thames Valley Police Robert Richens mugshot. He has short brown hair and scruffy brown stubble. — Robert Richens has had his sentence for the murder of Rachael Vaughan extended

A man who cried about not being able to play the latest Grand Theft Auto computer game after being arrested for killing his ex-girlfriend has had his sentence for her murder extended.

Robert Richens was jailed in February after he admitted killing 40-year-old Rachael Vaughan at her home in Sherwood Avenue in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, on 30 May 2025.

The 35-year-old was initially jailed for a minimum of 16 years for the murder, with Attorney General Ellie Reeves referring the case to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

During a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice on Thursday, Richens - of Luther Street, Oxford - saw his sentence increased by 3 years and 5 months.

This means Richens will now serve 19 years and six months before he can be considered for release.

It comes after the judge overseeing his initial sentencing at Oxford Crown Court handed him a life sentence with the minimum term.

Rachael Vaughan was killed by Richens at her home in Abingdon last year

Police handout A picture of Rachael Vaughan, who is smiling at the camera. She has long brown hair and is wearing a green shirt. — Rachael Vaughan was killed by Richens at her home in Abingdon last year

Reacting to the Court of Appeal decision, the Attorney General Ellie Reeves said: "Robert Richens brutally murdered Rachael Vaughan in her own home, the place where she should have been safest.

"Rachael was subjected to relentlessly controlling and abusive behaviour," she said, adding: "Domestic murder destroys lives and sentences must reflect the horror of such crimes."

The Attorney General's Office said Thursday's hearing had been told that Vaughan was killed by Richens following a prolonged controlling and abusive relationship.

It said she had "sustained multiple serious injuries as a result of the violent and prolonged assault" by Richens on the day of her death.

After her death, Richens "remained at the property for several hours, attempting to clean the scene before leaving, later returning, and calling the police", the Attorney General's Office added.

Following his arrest, Richens told officers he was "going to miss" the video game Grand Theft Auto

Thames Valley Police Robert Richens is kneeling down in handcuffs with a police officer behind him. — Following his arrest, Richens told officers he was "going to miss" the video game Grand Theft Auto

During his initial sentencing hearing in February, Oxford Crown Court heard the 999 call Richens had made to Thames Valley Police in which he said he had "done something quite serious".

Footage of Richens' ensuing arrest in which he could be heard crying and saying he was "going to miss" playing the latest version of the video game Grand Theft Auto whilst in prison was also played.

Following his imprisonment, Det Ch Insp Stuart May of Thames Valley Police echoed the Attorney General's thoughts and said Richens' actions had been "heartless" and "merciless".