A man who murdered his former partner in her Abingdon home has had his minimum prison term increased after the Attorney General referred the case to the Court of Appeal.
At a glance
| Offender | Robert Richens, 35, of Luther Street, Oxford |
| Victim | Rachael Vaughan, 40 |
| Location | Ms Vaughan’s home in Abingdon |
| Original sentence | Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 16 years and one month |
| New sentence | Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 19 years and six months |
| Increase | Three years and five months |
| Why it changed | The Attorney General referred the sentence to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme |
Robert Richens has had his minimum prison term increased for the murder of Rachael Vaughan following a hearing at the Court of Appeal.
Richens, 35, of Luther Street, Oxford, pleaded guilty to one count of murder at Oxford Crown Court on 12 December 2025.
He was originally sentenced on 6 February 2026 to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 16 years and one month.
Following a referral by the Attorney General, Ellie Reeves KC MP, the Court of Appeal found the sentence was unduly lenient and increased the minimum term to 19 years and six months on Thursday 23 July.
Rachael Vaughan was killed in her own home
The Attorney General’s Office said Ms Vaughan was killed following a prolonged controlling and abusive relationship.
The court heard that Richens fatally assaulted Ms Vaughan at her home in Abingdon, where nearby residents reported hearing screams during the attack.
Ms Vaughan sustained multiple serious injuries as a result of what was described as a violent and prolonged assault.
After her death, Richens remained at the property for several hours, attempted to clean the scene, left, later returned and called police.
Thames Valley Police said the case followed the murder of Ms Vaughan, aged 40, at a property in Abingdon on 30 May 2025.
Attorney General welcomes increased sentence
The case was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.
The scheme allows certain Crown Court sentences to be reviewed by the Attorney General’s Office if they are considered to be too low. If the Law Officers believe a sentence appears unduly lenient, they can ask the Court of Appeal to review it.
Ellie Reeves KC MP said Richens had murdered Ms Vaughan in the place where she “should have been safest”.
She added: “Domestic murder destroys lives and sentences must reflect the horror of such crimes.”
Police say sentence now reflects the offence
Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime Unit led the investigation.
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Stuart May said the investigation team welcomed the Court of Appeal’s decision.
He said the increased sentence “recognises the full nature and circumstances of this offence”.
DCI May added: “Richens’ actions were heartless. He left Rachael alone in her house, made no attempt to help her or seek medical attention and he only contacted police when he had nowhere else to turn.”
He said the force’s thoughts remained with Ms Vaughan’s family and friends.
What the sentence means
Richens remains subject to a life sentence.
The minimum term is the period he must serve in prison before he can be considered for release by the Parole Board. It does not mean he will automatically be released at that point.
If he is ever released, he will remain on licence for the rest of his life and could be recalled to prison if he breaches licence conditions.
Case timeline
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| May 2025 | Rachael Vaughan was murdered at her home in Abingdon. |
| 12 December 2025 | Robert Richens pleaded guilty to murder at Oxford Crown Court. |
| 6 February 2026 | He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 16 years and one month. |
| 23 July 2026 | The Court of Appeal increased the minimum term to 19 years and six months. |
Domestic abuse support
Anyone in immediate danger should call 999 and ask for the police. GOV.UK says that if someone is unable to speak when calling 999 from a mobile, they can press 55 when prompted to be transferred to police.
Oxfordshire Domestic Abuse Services provides specialist support for people in Oxfordshire experiencing or recovering from abuse from a partner, ex-partner or family member.
Thames Valley Police also lists support organisations including Victims First, FLAG DV, Oxfordshire Domestic Abuse Service and Reducing the Risk.
Where to get help
| Emergency | Call 999 if there is immediate danger. |
| National Domestic Abuse Helpline | 0808 2000 247, available 24 hours a day. |
| Oxfordshire Domestic Abuse Service | 0800 731 0055. |
| Victims First | 0300 1234 148, offering support across Thames Valley. |
| FLAG DV | 0800 731 0055, offering free legal advice for domestic abuse in Thames Valley. |
| Reducing the Risk | Oxfordshire-based charity supporting people affected by domestic abuse. |
FAQs
Who is Robert Richens?
Robert Richens is a 35-year-old man from Luther Street, Oxford, who pleaded guilty to murdering Rachael Vaughan.
Who was Rachael Vaughan?
Rachael Vaughan was a 40-year-old woman murdered at her home in Abingdon in 2025.
What was the original sentence?
Richens was originally sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 16 years and one month at Oxford Crown Court on 6 February 2026.
What is the new sentence?
The Court of Appeal increased the minimum term to 19 years and six months.
Why was the sentence increased?
The Attorney General referred the case to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. The Court of Appeal found the original sentence was unduly lenient.
Does a minimum term mean automatic release?
No. A minimum term is the earliest point at which a prisoner serving a life sentence can be considered for release by the Parole Board. Release is not automatic.
Where can people get domestic abuse support in Oxfordshire?
People can contact Oxfordshire Domestic Abuse Service on 0800 731 0055, Victims First on 0300 1234 148, or the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. Anyone in immediate danger should call 999.
