Michael Kelly, the horror mask murderer, gets life for Banbury double killing

MICHAEL KELLY, THE HORROR MASK MURDERER, GETS LIFE FOR BANBURY DOUBLE KILLING

A Swindon man who admitted murdering his former partner and her son with an axe has been jailed for life.

Michael Kelly, 46, wore a horror mask to attack Sally Cox, 43, and her son Martin Faulkner, 22, at their house in Banbury, Oxfordshire, on 13 December.

Kelly, who must spend at least 30 years in jail, snapped after his relationship with Ms Cox began to fail, police said.

Ms Cox's daughter and another girl escaped from the house.

Police think he would otherwise have killed them too.

At Oxford Crown Court, Kelly, of Hatch Road, pleaded guilty to two counts of murder and two of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, Thames Valley Police said.

The victims' family described the event as a "sad and meaningless loss" and expressed gratitude to Thames Valley Police for their support.

Det Ch Insp Peter Vigurs stated, "These brutal murders were carried out by Kelly with an axe whilst he was wearing a gruesome horror mask." The article details that Kelly moved in with Sally Cox, was accepted by her children, but they separated in November 2010, and he was unable to cope with this separation, leading to the murders.

Kelly fled the scene in Mold Crescent and was arrested in Swindon, Wiltshire, a few hours later.

The police also noted that relatives of the victims felt the justice served, although the sentence would not be enough to compensate for their suffering.