Glyn Evans murder: Kitchen knife killer Stella Downing jailed for at least 13 years

Stella Downing stabbed 56-year-old Glyn Evans three times, with the fatal wound plunged into his kidney, severing a renal artery, a judge heard.

The enraged 37-year-old slashed at the victim with a kitchen knife on three further occasions but these blows merely cut his clothing, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

The pair were drinking partners and she referred to him as her boyfriend but the exact nature of the on-off relationship remained uncertain, said Mr Timothy Raggatt QC prosecuting.

Downing was angry after being unable to contact Mr Evans when she and Martin Stokes – a 49-year-old close friend of the victim – went to Mr Evans' bedsit in Walsall Road, Willenhall, on December 23.

"It seems to have been a turbulent relationship but the rights or wrongs of earlier incidents are not clear," continued Mr Raggatt.

"On this occasion she went in temper and with a grievance but it is a bridge too far to say she had murderous intent.

"However, for whatever reason she carried out a prolonged and deadly attack."

Downing stabbed him with a kitchen knife, picked up in the flat during the row.

Exactly what happened and why remains a mystery because Downing has refused to give an explanation.

Stokes had been in the flat and was close at hand when tragedy struck, the court heard.

He did not see the fatal blow delivered but covered up what had happened, explained Mr Raggatt who continued: "He was almost certainly present physically in the small flat where the killing took place.

"But there is no evidence he did anything, neither encouraging or assisting in any way."

Neighbour Douglas Clement later told police: "I heard a woman shouting and swearing. She sounded in a rage. There was the sound of smacking and banging and metallic noises."

Downing soon revealed what she had done. She told a friend she had stabbed the deceased before breaking down in tears and saying 'What have I done?' the court was told.

As a result, emergency services were called, but it was too late to save Mr Evans.

Mr Christopher O'Gorman, defending, said the victim had been a friend and 'at times more than that', during their relationship.

He stressed: "She had no intention to do what was done. There was an argument that escalated beyond any expectation."

Downing, of no fixed address – who had previous convictions for violence – admitted murder and was jailed for life with a minimum prison sentence 13 years, four months, before she can be considered for parole.

Judge James Burbidge QC told her: "You both drank to excess and as a result your relationship was turbulent and destructive."

Stokes, from St Giles Road, Willenhall, admitted attempting to pervert the course of justice and was jailed for 12 months.

Mr Evans' family paid tribute after the case, saying: ""Glyn had four brothers and three sisters; he was a happy go lucky chap with a heart of gold. Anyone who knew him would tell you that.

"He died in tragic circumstances and didn't deserve to die like this. He will be sadly missed and the family are still grieving and don't think they will ever get over it. The family are glad justice has been served."

Detective Inspector Jim Munro, from West Midlands Police CID, said: ""Glyn was well liked in the local community and I'd like to thank those local people who came forward to assist in this investigation.

"I cannot say what exactly happened in that flat which led to Glyn's death only that evidence suggests he was at no fault whatsoever and was unarmed when attacked by Downing with a knife.

"Downing pleaded guilty in part due to the abundance of evidence against her. Stokes lied to the police during his interviews which diverted officers from certain lines of enquiry in essence making our job more difficult."