A man who murdered his wife in a violent knife attack after accusing her of having an affair has been jailed for at least 21 years.
Mompati Dodo Isaacs stabbed mother-of-three Keotshepile Naso Isaacs, 33, nine times at their home in North Berwick on New Year’s Day last year.
Isaacs, 39, who moved from Botswana to the East Lothian town, had claimed diminished responsibility but was found guilty last month.
At the High Court in Edinburgh Judge Lady Ross told Isaacs his actions were “deliberate and wicked”.
She said: “This was a brutal and violent attack with a knife against your wife who was utterly defenceless.
“This was an utterly despicable act.”
During the trial the court heard the victim, known as Naso, was stabbed on her head, neck and body during the attack at the house on Craigleith Avenue.
Isaacs believed Naso, a carer and support worker, was having an affair with a colleague, Victor Unachukwa, which he denied.
Isaacs, who had been drinking, armed himself with a knife before attacking Naso on a bed.
In a letter written after he was arrested, Isaacs said he “stabbed her in the back of the neck”.
He claimed that his wife had sent Mr Unachukwa a “love you” text and that she had been bought gifts including a black dress, shoes and perfume.
Anxiety and depression
A witness at the trial said Isaacs had made allegations about an affair in a voice note posted on group chat used by work colleagues.
They also said Naso used to speak about “infidelity” and how “Dodo used to hit her”.
In addition, it was alleged he controlled Naso’s income, tracked her mobile phone and sent her abusive text messages.
The court also heard evidence that, in Botswana, Isaacs threw a box of beer at her, slapped her face and kicked her.
Isaacs came to the UK before the Covid pandemic to work in IT.
His mother told the trial he had a history of mental illness having been treated for anxiety and depression.
She said he believed moving to the UK would allow him to receive better care.
Isaacs’ lawyer, Gareth Jones KC, described him as a “sad and pathetic man” who could not cope with his wife’s infidelity.
Mr Jones said he was “remorseful” for his actions.
He said: “He is frankly at a loss to understand why the acted the way he did.”
Dr Emma Forbes, procurator fiscal for domestic abuse cases at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, said Naso had been the victim of a “sustained period of domestic abuse” before her murder.
She said: “This man chose to act deliberately to control and coerce Naso Isaacs over a long period of time.
“She was the victim of coercive behaviour and was contemplating leaving the relationship at the time she was murdered.
“Naso Isaacs had the right to feel safe in her own home and this has been a deliberate and terrible attack.”
Isaacs will not automatically be released after his 21-year minimum jail term elapses.
He will be released when the parole board is satisfied he no longer poses a risk to the public.
