In a significant legal development, double murderer Shaine March has been handed a whole life order after Court of Appeal judges ruled his original sentence was "unduly lenient." March, 45, had previously been jailed for life with a minimum of 42 years for the brutal murder of his pregnant girlfriend, Alana Odysseos, and her unborn child.
Violent History and Tragic Killing
Shaine March murdered 32-year-old Alana Odysseos at her home in Walthamstow, east London, in the early hours of July 22, 2024. Ms. Odysseos was in the early stages of pregnancy with her third child at the time of her death. March, who was on licence for a previous murder conviction, admitted to the killing on the seventh day of his trial after an expert withdrew support for his diminished responsibility claim.
A Pattern of Violence Against Partners
This was not March's first violent offense. He was originally convicted of murder in January 2000 when, at age 21, he fatally stabbed 17-year-old Andre Drummond in the neck at a McDonald's restaurant in Denmark Hill, south London. Following his release on life licence in early 2013, he was recalled to jail later that year after stamping on the stomach of another pregnant girlfriend in July. He was released again in February 2018.
March also had prior convictions for assault and criminal damage dating back to 1995, painting a picture of a man with a long history of violent behavior.
System Failures and Family Anguish
The court heard that Ms. Odysseos was aware of March's murder conviction, and probation services had conducted initial safeguarding checks. However, when March claimed their relationship had ended amicably, no further investigations were made. Hours before the murder, the couple had argued about whether to terminate the pregnancy, with Ms. Odysseos heard saying, "I don't want to kill my baby."
Family Impact Statements
During the original sentencing hearing, members of Ms. Odysseos's family delivered powerful victim impact statements describing the devastating consequences of her murder. Her mother, Karen Cronin, expressed profound grief and anger, stating, "Alana, my beautiful kind and loving daughter, left this earth in the most callous and brutal way imaginable."
Ms. Cronin continued, "The person who has done this to my daughter – who I don't think deserves the respect of using his name – is evil and a coward. Why did he have to resort to the level of violence he used? The anger I feel towards him doesn't feel Christian so I can no longer go to Church. I will never have forgiveness in my heart. I want him to die in prison. He should never be let out."
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
At the original sentencing in October 2025, the senior judge rejected calls from both the prosecution and Ms. Odysseos's family for a whole life order, though he noted that given March's age, he might never be released. March appeared via videolink from Belmarsh prison during proceedings, having initially refused to attend the Old Bailey in person. He showed no reaction as family members described their loss.
The case was subsequently brought to the Court of Appeal after authorities determined the original sentence was insufficient given the gravity of the crimes and March's violent history. The appeal judges agreed, upgrading March's punishment to a whole life order, meaning he will spend the rest of his natural life in prison without possibility of parole.
This case highlights serious questions about offender management and probation supervision for individuals with violent histories, particularly when they are released on licence. The tragic outcome for Alana Odysseos and her unborn child underscores the potential consequences when systems fail to adequately monitor dangerous offenders in the community.
