2003: 'CONTROL FREAK' JAILED FOR LIFE AFTER STRANGLING GIRLFRIEND
A man from Malvern, characterized by jealousy and violent behavior, received a life sentence from Birmingham Crown Court yesterday after being convicted of killing his 25-year-old girlfriend.Alan Hill, 38, a pipe bender living on Elgar Avenue, strangled Kathryn Allen during the early hours of February 9 following her outing with another man, prosecutor Christopher Millington reported.
Hill unexpectedly changed his plea from not guilty to guilty just 30 minutes prior to the scheduled trial.
The court heard that Miss Allen’s parents, described as very attractive and lively, were emotional during the proceeding as the court details revealed she had been living with Hill at her flat for two years.
Hill’s record included previous convictions for violence against women, linked to his jealous, controlling nature and rejection fears.
According to Mr.
Millington, Hill was deeply infatuated with Kate, but their relationship deteriorated, becoming increasingly toxic.
She wanted to break away, but Hill’s possessiveness hindered her efforts.
On the night of her death, Kate went out with friends, met an ex-colleague, and left with him in his vehicle while her friends returned to Sally’s flat.
Dawn Phillpotts, one of her friends, later sent a text message to Hill about Kate’s whereabouts.
Later, Hill visited Sally’s, was visibly upset and cried, then waited outside Kate’s flat.
A dispute broke out when she returned early in the morning; Hill claimed she went into the bedroom intending to remove him, and he responded by strangling her to death.
He admitted the incident to her friends, who discovered her lifeless body upon arrival.
Emergency services were called, leading to Hill’s arrest.
His criminal background includes a 1995 conviction for violence towards a woman he lived with, and in 1997, he was sentenced to four years for stabbing another current or former partner.
Defense lawyer Rachel Brand stated that Hill was insecure but also hardworking, remorseful, and possessed positive traits.
The judge, Adrian Fulford, imposed a life sentence, emphasizing the danger Hill posed to women.
