Jilted groom guilty of murder

David Slater, left, and victim Ken Westwood.

A bridegroom from Dudley was today jailed for life after being found guilty of attempting to kill his cheating new wife and murdering her lover.

David Slater was told he would have to serve a minimum of 16 years.

Slater, aged 57, of Sudeley Gardens, Milking Bank, stabbed Ken Westwood and Alison Slater, now Edwards, at her house in Monument Lane, Sedgley, on August 17 last year.

Mr Westwood suffered three stab wounds and died at the scene, while Mrs Slater, who had married Slater two weeks earlier, was stabbed twice and had surgery to save her life.

The couple were married on August 2, 2008, but spent their wedding night in separate beds because of an argument about drinking. Mrs Slater, aged 51, moved out shortly afterwards.

Slater, who used to work in the prison service, flew into a jealous rage when he found out his new wife had left him for another man, smashing up their bedroom before arming himself with a 9.5-inch kitchen knife.

He vowed he would kill them both and went over to Monument Lane, where he stabbed his wife and then killed Mr Westwood.

In the witness box, Slater said he wanted to cut up his wife’s wedding dress and get some answers from her. But said he had not intended to hurt anyone.

The jury took four hours to convict him at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday. He was sentenced to a minimum of 13 years for attempted murder, to run concurrently to the murder sentence.

Judge John Warner told Slater: “All Mr Westwood did was have the misfortune to get involved with your wife.

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