A babysitter murdered a mum and dad while their baby slept after the couple "planned to throw him under the bus for a £28,000 bingo hall burglary".
Stanley Elliot, 53, and Geoffrey Hibbert, 61, were both charged with the burglary.
Today, Elliot was jailed for life for the frenzied stabbing that killed Geoffrey and his wife Michelle, 29.
He was found guilty following a four-week trial at Winchester Crown Court, Hants, earlier this month.
During the trial, prosecutors suggested the attack could have been linked with a defence statement written by Mr Hibbert which blamed Elliott for a burglary they were both charged with in early 2020.
Elliott was on bail for the offence at the time of the Hibberts' attack.
In the statement found torn up in a bin at the property, Mr Hibbert claimed he had loaned Elliott a mobile phone found at the scene of a bingo hall burglary in January 2020.
More than £28,000 was stolen during the raid on Buzz Bingo in Basingstoke, Hants., and Mr Hibbert was charged after his phone was found.
It was suggested Elliott, who has two children of his own, may have flown into a rage and murdered the Hibberts after learning they planned to 'throw him under the bus' regarding the case.
Mr Justice Garnham said: "It seems likely you argued with Geoff, probably about who should take the blame for the burglary of the bingo."
During his four week trial, the court heard the Hibberts had gone out for drinks and asked Elliott to babysit their young boy at their semi-detached bungalow in Basingstoke, Hants.
But following an argument between Elliott and the couple when they returned in the early hours, he 'turned' on them and stabbed them as the youngster slept in the next room.
Elliott, from the village of Sherborne St John near Basingstoke, Hants, had been 'trusted' to 'babysit' the couple's young son on June 19, 2021.
He fled the property on his motorcycle before the arrival of the police but was arrested at his home having disposed of clothing that would have 'undoubtedly forensically linked him to the attacks', according to prosecutors.
In the 'dreadful' attack, Elliott, who had been babysitting their son, stabbed Mr Hibbert 58 times in the neck and torso and Mrs Hibbert seven times.
He slit her throat as she made a desperate 999 call.
The Honourable Justice Neil Garnham jailed Elliott for 34 years, telling him: "This was a prolonged, angry and frenzied knife attack by you on two defenceless people that caused them both great pain and led, eventually, to their deaths.
"This must have been the most dreadful and terrifying of deaths for Geoffrey and Michelle. They each knew that you were stabbing their spouse.
"They must have endured significant mental and physical pain and suffering before they died.
"You were a guest as [the son's] babysitter and you abused that status in the most egregious of ways.
"The effect of your murderous behaviour has been to leave that child and orphan to be brought up in care.
"You are going to be in your 80s by the time you are able to apply for parole. You will serve a minimum of 34 years."
