A MAN WHO MURDERED HIS 77-YEAR-OLD GRANDMOTHER-IN-LAW HAS BEEN JAILED FOR LIFE
Adam David Wright, aged 39 and formerly residing in Grovers Field, Bishops Waltham, appeared before Portsmouth Crown Court on 27 November after admitting to the murder of June Henty.The police responded just before 8am on 23 December 2023, when they discovered Mrs Henty at her Wickham residence with over 100 cuts on her face and body following an assault with a knife by Wright.
She suffered significant bleeding from major blood vessels in her head and neck, along with a brain bleed.
June was admitted to intensive care, where she spent six months before passing away from her injuries on 14 June 2024.
A post-mortem conducted by Dr Basil Purdue concluded that her death was caused by the delayed effects of multiple sharp-force injuries.
Wright was apprehended on the day of the attack after Mrs Henty was able to identify her assailant to officers.
He was initially charged with attempted murder and has been held in custody since.
After Mrs Henty’s death, authorities sought and obtained permission to upgrade the charge to murder.
Wright was formally charged with murder on 6 January and later pleaded guilty at Portsmouth Crown Court on 27 February.
On 27 November, Wright appeared in court where he received a life sentence.
He is required to serve at least 24 years before he can seek parole.
Having been in custody for two years, his minimum term now stands at 22 years.
June’s family issued a heartfelt tribute, describing her as a compassionate, lively woman who always prioritised her loved ones.
They expressed profound heartbreak over her loss and acknowledged her resilience and strength.
The family said, “Our beautiful mum June was brutally taken away from us and as a family we are heartbroken.
She was a kind and loving lady who always put her family first.
She enjoyed life to the fullest and always loved being around her family and friends.
“Mum was a pillar of strength and always stood up for what she believed in, even through the toughest of times.
Our lives will now never be the same without her.
Even though there has been some justice today, it will never be enough.
“She was our world and we were hers.
We have lost the heart of our family and we feel broken without her.” DI Tim Judd, the Senior Investigating Officer, said: “This result comes from the tragic loss of June Henty.
She had done nothing to deserve the abhorrent violence she endured that morning, and my thoughts remain with her family.
“June fought for six months, and thanks to her we were able to identify her attacker as Adam Wright.
“Although no sentence will ever return June to them, I hope knowing that the man responsible is behind bars will provide them some closure.”
