CRAIG WOODHALL

BARNSLEY MAN JAILED FOR SAVAGE MURDER OF WIFE

A former soldier has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his estranged wife.

Craig Woodhall, 41, was found guilty of repeatedly stabbing Victoria Woodhall, 31, with a machete during an attack outside her home on 29 March.

The attack was described during the court hearing as 'sustained and savage', with Woodhall using a Gurkha knife, called a kukri, to inflict fatal injuries to her upper body, head, and neck.

The judge, Jeremy Richardson QC, stated: 'You relentlessly stabbed your wife, Victoria Woodhall, to death with a high level of violence in a public street in full view of several people.

You used a large Gurkha knife, called a kukri, to mercilessly inflict the brutal injuries to her upper body, head and neck and I have no doubt you intended to kill her.' Woodhall admitted murder at an earlier hearing and was sentenced to a minimum term of 18 years and six months.

The court heard that the attack took place outside her home and was witnessed by several people.

The family expressed suffering for the terrible pain caused and urged anyone suffering domestic violence to seek help.

South Yorkshire Police said Woodhall was a dangerous and violent individual and welcomed the lengthy sentence, offering their deepest sympathies to the family.