Chilling moment killer who stabbed to death mum & son, 29, as he tried to protect her is found covered in blood by cops

CHILLING footage shows the moment a killer who stabbed to death a mum and her son is arrested by cops covered in blood. Calogero Ricotta, 64, killed his wife Maria Nugara, 54 and his 29-year-old stepson Giuseppe Morreale at the family home in Ugley, Essex, in May last year. On Tuesday, Ricotta was found guilty of two counts of murder and one count of causing actual bodily harm to a third victim. He was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 34 years in prison at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Footage released by Essex Police has now shown the moment cowardly Ricotta was accosted by cops following the murders. The sick attacker was seen covered in blood as he made his way out of the house in Ugley as officers pointed flashlights at him. Police were heard yelling at Ricotta to get on his knees before reading him his rights in the dramatic footage. Ricotta was waiting for his wife when she returned from visiting one of her daughters on the evening she was killed, the court heard.

He entered the kitchen and told his frightened wife "I want to talk to you" - jurors were told - before going into the living room. A youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said he heard Mrs Ricotta screaming for help 10 seconds later. The prosecution said that a 999 call was being made as Mr Ricotta attacked his wife in the lounge with a kitchen knife, stabbing her multiple times. Giuseppe, also known as Joe, had run into the room to try and defend his mother, but was fatally stabbed in the process, the court heard.

The brave son tried to stop the attack, but was stabbed in the stomach, receiving four knife wounds in total. A pathologist's report revealed Mrs Nugara - known as Maria Ricotta in the court proceedings - suffered 14 stab wounds and 44 further cuts, including to her neck. The judge, Mrs Justice Dame Mary Stacey, said Ricotta "used controlling and coercive behaviour" against his spouse and "tried to intimidate Maria into staying in a loveless marriage" before he "slaughtered" her and her son.

Judge Mrs Justice Dame Mary Stacey told Ricotta in court yesterday: "Your vanity, pride and ego meant you would not agree to a divorce. “Instead you tried to intimidate Maria into staying in a loveless marriage. “By murdering your wife, you have effectively orphaned your children.”. She added: "Mr Morreale gave his life trying to protect Maria and his siblings. His bravery that day stands in contrast to the cowardly way that you killed both of them.

"You planned to lure her into the living room by pretending to be nice. "You manipulated her, knowing she would be tired after a stressful evening.". Det Insp Lydia George said: “[Ricotta] was calculating, controlling and violent and said to Maria ‘dead or alive, you will never leave this marriage’. “Joe intervened to try and protect his mother to the end, however, received horrific injuries that ultimately took his life.

“Ricotta then refused to admit to his crimes, subjecting all their loved ones to months of stress and turmoil.". Maria - also known as Maria Nugara - “had been to see the solicitor about being divorced”, Ricotta's trial at Chelmsford Crown Court heard. “Increasing tension and unhappiness between the defendant and his wife are what led to the horrific events of 28 May,” prosecutor Simon Spence KC said.

The family of the two victims said in an earlier tribute that Ms Nugara was "loving and dedicated to her four children and grandson". A family statement released through police described the deceased as “kind and pure-hearted people”. They said that Maria Nugara was the “most beautiful person inside and out”, adding: “She was kind, caring and clever with a cracking sense of humour.”. And they said of Mr Morreale: “The last thing he did was try and save his mum; he is the bravest person we have ever known.

"He was our hero.”. Ricotta claimed he had been trying to hide behind his wife as his stepson lunged at him with a knife, accidentally stabbing his mother in the process. However, the jury of seven women and five men returned their guilty verdicts after three hours of deliberations. He was also found guilty of causing actual bodily harm in relation to a third victim. Ricotta shrugged his shoulders as the verdict was read out.