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Flight Lieutenant Stephen Keen who died in July 2006

A JEALOUS husband who travelled to Britain to stab his RAF Lyneham love rival has been jailed for life.

Francesco Matta, 56, was ordered to serve a minimum of 11 years 260 days before he can be considered for parole.

Matta, from Cagliari, Sardinia, had pleaded not guilty to murdering married RAF officer Flight Lieutenant Stephen Keen, 54, at a house in Devon.

Matta was told by Mr Justice Jack at Exeter Crown Court: "It is an aggravating feature you planned to kill Stephen Keen before you left Sardinia. There is ample evidence that was your plan.

"I am satisfied when you attacked Stephen Keen it was your intention to kill him."

The Judge said Matta had suffered from clinical depression as a result of the loss of his wife, and his mental state was some mitigation.

Matta stabbed Flt Lt Keen to death in front of 53-year-old Susan Matta - who left the defendant after her 30-year-old teenage romance with the victim was rekindled via the social networking website.

Flt Lt Keen bled to death in minutes from four throat and neck wounds after the lock-knife attack in the new home in Tiverton, which he and Mrs Matta had moved just a few days before.

Mrs Matta told the court that the room in which the killing happened looked "like a slaughter chamber", with blood everywhere.

Matta admitted the killing, but maintained he should not be convicted of murder, but of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.

After Flt Lt Keen's death, colleagues at Lyneham said: "Stephen was a modest, caring man who took time and trouble to give guidance and advice to all airman in his charge.

"He was always available to help anyone at any time and was regarded as a true gentleman by all who knew him.

"He had a lively sense of humour and will be remembered for his infectious grin and for the twinkle in his eye."

Flt Lt Keen, who lived in Calne, joined the RAF as an apprentice technician in 1968 and the talented sportsman went on to represent them at water polo and rugby.

9:11am Monday 21st April 2008

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