Man who killed girlfriend, toddler to be sentenced

UPDATED STORY:

CALGARY - A judge says a man who killed a woman and her young daughter and buried them in a shallow grave near Calgary must serve 22 years before he can apply for parole. Robert Leeming, who is 37, pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of Jasmine Lovett, but not guilty to the death of 22-month-old Aliyah Sanderson.

He was convicted earlier this year of second-degree murder in the child's death. Leeming has been handed an automatic life sentence for the murder convictions.

The mother and daughter were found in the grave in Kananaskis Country, west of Calgary, in May 2019, after they had been missing for weeks.

Family members have told court they have struggled with fear and pain since their loved ones were killed.

EARLIER STORY:

CALGARY - A man who killed a woman and her young daughter and buried them in a shallow grave west of Calgary is scheduled to be sentenced this afternoon.

Robert Leeming, who is 37, pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of Jasmine Lovett, but not guilty in the death of 22-month-old Aliyah Sanderson.

He was convicted earlier this year of second-degree murder in the child's death.

Leeming must serve an automatic life sentence for the second-degree murder convictions, but a Court of King's Bench justice will decide when he will be eligible to apply for parole.

Family members have told court they have struggled with fear and pain since their loved ones were killed.

The mother and daughter were found in a shallow grave in Kananaskis Country, west of Calgary, in May 2019, after they had been missing for weeks.