His mistress was strangled to death by her husband, who then claimed that it was rough sex. The woman is requesting an increase in his sentence at appeal.

After admitting to the murder of Sophie Moss (a mother-of-2 who was beaten to death by Pybus), 32-year-old Sam Pybus was sentenced to four years and eight month in prison.

This sentence caused outrage in the nation and was sent to the Court of Appeal by the Attorney General as “unduly lenient”. 

Ms. Moss’s two children and their family received a lifetime sentence of grief. Pybus, however, will probably be free in less than two years. 

James, the older brother of Ms Moss, told Judge Paul Watson (QC) that his family could not shake the conviction that she was ‘taken advantage of and exploited.

Pybus’s exwife now wants the sentence for him to be extended.

Louise Howitt said: ‘It seems to me like a massive injustice to Sophie, her family and her two children,’

“I do not believe that their sons should be taught a different story about the death of their mother.

Sam Pybus, 32, with his now ex-wife Louise Howitt, who wants him to get a longer sentence

Sam Pybus (32), with Louise Howitt his ex-wife, who want him to serve a longer sentence

Pybus, 32, killed his mistress Sophie Moss by applying pressure to her neck during sex

Pybus (32), killed Sophie Moss with pressure on her neck while sex.

She shouldn’t be blamed for the incident, and it would be a big insult to say that she caused it.

“It is an instance of abuse and exploitation. That’s not what it has been demonstrated in court.

“I don’t believe what” [Pybus]The sentence Sophie was given reflects how Sophie’s children are going to be treated.

It doesn’t take into account the years of pain he caused her and their two young children. Darlington Live: “My heart breaks for them.”

Ms. Howitt, an English teacher, was frustrated that her ex-partner wasn’t shown the whole picture during his sentencing.

A former lover of Ms Moss presented evidence that she liked and encouraged being strangled. However, statements made by the 29 year-old who had spent eight years living with Pybus were not heard in court.

Teesside Crown Court heard that the murderer, 32 years old, had consumed 24 bottles Amstel after escaping his Middleton St George residence and drove to Ms Moss’s Darlington apartment.

Later, he told police that he didn’t recall much about the incident. However, he went to Ms Moss’s bedroom and found his hands sore and she unresponsive. Pybus realized that he had strangled her.

Pybus's court sentence sparked widespread revulsion and disgust due to its length

Pybus’s lengthy sentence at court sparked disgust and widespread revulsion.

Louise Pybus, the estranged wife of killer Sam Pybus, has backed a referral under the Unduly Lenient Sentencing scheme made by the Attorney General

Sam Pybus, 32, was jailed this month for four years and eight months for the manslaughter of Sophie Moss

Sam Pybus, who killed Sophie Moss during sex, is less concerned with not seeing her pet dog than he is about showing compassion for the victim. His wife Louise Pybus has stated that Pybus (right), said that he was more worried about his own safety than he is about Sophie Moss’s well-being.

How do you define the scheme of an excessively lenient sentence?

A scheme called the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme allows the public to request the Attorney General to refer any sentence to the Court of Appeal if it is too low.

The Attorney General’s Office can review very low sentences given by the Crown Court in England and Wales, if asked to do so.

The only exception to this rule is murder, manslaughter or rape sentences. 

For a sentence to be considered ‘unduly generous’ it must not ‘fall within the range sentences that the judge could reasonably determine appropriate, after considering all relevant factors.

A sentence can be reviewed by anyone, even though they may not have been directly involved.

The Court of Appeal will decide if the Attorney General sends the case. They can either leave it as is or find it too lenient. If they refuse, the Court of Appeal may increase the sentence.

Judge heard that Pybus did not call an ambulance nor attempt to revive Ms. Moss.

He instead got dressed and left his flat. After sitting in the car for fifteen minutes, he decided what to do.

Tragically, paramedics couldn’t save the 33-year old mum when they arrived.

The days followed and Ms. Howitt didn’t realize Pybus left until the morning of the following day, so she began to piece the pieces.

«[Police said]”We can’t tell what he did – the were clearly still trying to find out why it happened. But through our questioning, you will come up with your own conclusion,” stated Ms. Howitt.

“The first question that they asked was, “Did Sam ever strangle or smother you in your bed?”

“My initial reaction to him was, he loves doing that.

“He wouldn’t do it if I didn’t think so – that was the instant that I understood.

I did inform them that he had done this to me in the beginning of our relationship. He quickly realized that I wasn’t the right person for him after eight years of being together. It was not something we had discussed, and he didn’t ask if I could do that to him.

“They were really focused on the how he did it, what he did and his intentions when he was doing so.

“They did not ask me any deeper questions. He was very confused and I did not realize that I was experiencing abuse at the time.

“It felt like they were trying to find evidence for him in order to back up his story.”

Ms Howitt says Pybus was financially and emotionally abusive during their relationship – claiming he got them into around £10,000 worth of debt through pay day loans and reckless spending, was manipulating and gas-lighted her into thinking she was the reason he felt forced to cheat when she had previously discovered his infidelity.

Friday’s case will be heard by the Court of Appeal, which will determine if Pybus was sentenced too lenient.

“Women should be flawless and this is unfair.” Sophie deserves justice, but that doesn’t make it right. Sophie’s mental and physical problems have made life difficult for her. Ms. Howitt said she felt she was a failure of the system. She should have received even more support.

He was exploiting someone vulnerable, which to me is absolutely disgusting.

“I am not optimistic because they are not permitted to present any additional evidence. They can only base their decision on what was presented at the sentencing. At least it has been referred by some of the people who saw it as unduly mild.

“I feel the justice system has so much weight against women, it makes it impossible for me get my hopes up.”