Staffordshire murder case - an example of severe and calculated domestic violence
The Crown Prosecution Service has described the murder of Louis Price as an example of severe and calculated domestic violence after a jury found his ex-partner guilty of murder.
Mother-of-five Carless, aged 33, was found guilty of murdering her ex-partner Louis Price at Stafford Crown Court and will be sentenced at midday today (Thursday).
Senior prosecutor Narmina Rafiq said: “This was a truly awful case that shows just how severe and calculated domestic violence can be. Kirsty Carless did not have a sudden outburst, instead this was a deliberate and premeditated killing, following a series of events that began with jealousy over Louis Price’s use of dating apps and ended in murder.
“The Crown Prosecution Service built a compelling case using DNA evidence, CCTV footage, witness testimony, forensic tests and pathological evidence that not only proved Kirsty Carless intended to kill Mr Price but showed exactly how it happened, leaving the jury certain of her guilt.
“Her unbelievably cruel and heartless actions have robbed six children of their father and his parents of their beloved son. We hope today’s outcome brings them some comfort. Our condolences remain with Mr Price’s family.”
Carless stabbed 31-year-old Louis Price at his parents' house in Cannock, where he had been staying since his relationship with Carless ended. At the time of the attack, he was considered by police to be at very high risk of domestic abuse from Carless. She was also convicted of assault occasioning bodily harm.
Carless brought the knife to the scene to attack Mr Price after a friend showed her his profile on the dating app Tinder. She plunged the 12-inch kitchen knife into his chest, with the blade penetrating 12cms through his skin, rib, lung, and heart, killing him almost instantly. The pathologist said his injuries were so severe that he would have died within a minute.
Between 2.15am and 2.44am, Carless made 45 telephone calls to Mr Price after learning of his Tinder activity. She then telephoned her mother to say that "no matter what happens tomorrow" she loved her which proved she was aware of the gravity of her intended actions.
Carless armed herself with a kitchen knife from her home in Haling Way, Bridgtown, before ordering a taxi to Mr Price's address. When she arrived, she told the taxi driver she would be "coming back in a minute," which further proved she entered the house with a specific mission.
She used her key to access the property, went directly upstairs to locate Mr Price, and when she found the spare bedroom empty, she went straight downstairs and stabbed him immediately on sight.
Pathology evidence showed Mr Price had no defensive injuries, confirming he was attacked without warning or opportunity to defend himself.
Comparison between the knife at the scene and utensils from Carless’ kitchen found that it matched the cutlery set from Carless's home, which disproved her claim that she found it at the scene. No similar cutlery was found at the victim’s address.
Toxicology evidence revealed Carless was severely intoxicated, with her blood alcohol nearly twice the legal driving limit and cocaine present, creating a dangerous combination known to increase aggressive behaviour.
