2012: MOTHERS BOYFRIEND’S MURDERER JAILED FOR 12 YEARS
A young man who fatally stabbed his mother’s partner in the neck with a kitchen knife has been convicted of murder and received a 12-year prison sentence.During the trial at Manchester Crown Court, it was revealed that 20-year-old Edgar claimed he acted in self-defence.
However, the jury, which reached an 11 to 1 majority verdict, found him guilty of killing Mark Wood.
The court was also informed that Edgar’s mother, Samantha Bird, had an unstable relationship with Mr Wood, 28, and had previously reported being assaulted by him.
Prior to the incident on June 12, Edgar had issued threats to harm Mr Wood.
That evening, at their home on Ashton Street in Little Lever, Edgar, Ms Bird, Mr Wood, two friends, and her boyfriend were watching a football game at a nearby pub.
After returning home and continuing to drink, Ms Bird went to bed but later came downstairs feeling upset because all the alcohol was gone.
One of her friends, Shannon Leith, had arrived following a quarrel with her own boyfriend.
An altercation then took place between Ms Bird and Mr Wood, during which Edgar attempted to restrain him.
Edgar reportedly made an emergency call claiming Mr Wood was attacking him and his mother.
Soon after, he made another call in which he admitted to stabbing Mr Wood, who subsequently died from extensive internal injuries, including a punctured lung and a nicked spine.
Edgar explained that he had used a kitchen knife he thought was a fork, in self-defence, and did not realize he was holding it until he pulled it from Mr Wood’s neck.
Despite efforts by paramedics, Mr Wood, a father, was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The jury deliberated for over eight hours before reaching a verdict.
Edgar was kept in custody until sentencing, which Judge Andrew Gilbart indicated would start at 15 years.
