Man jailed for murdering ex-partner's mother

A detective said 46-year-old Diane Cleary's murder was "brutal and senseless"

A man must spend at least 25 years in jail for murdering his ex-partner's mum in a "frenzied" attack in front of her daughter.

Jacob Clark, 25, repeatedly stabbed Diane Cleary, 46, with a knife and scissors at the home in Turners Road North, Luton, where he used to live with her daughter Caitlin Cleary.

Clark, now of Links Way, killed Ms Cleary on 20 January shortly after her daughter broke up with him and the court heard it was because of his abusive behaviour.

Prosecutors said the murder, which he pleaded guilty to in June, was carried out as a "punishment" because she "sought to assist" her daughter in ending the relationship. The minimum 25-year term was imposed as part of a life sentence.

'Haircut'

Caitlin Cleary, 25, who was injured as she tried to protect her mother, had told police that Clark had said, after her mother collapsed: "I have got that dirty bitch's blood on my hands."

She said he had then told her to cut his long hair in what police said was an attempt to change his appearance - using the scissors he had armed himself with in the attack.

Clark, who worked at a McDonald's, told his ex-partner the haircut was "nice", and he washed his hands before leaving.

Jacob Clark left Diane Cleary with 37 stab wounds and also used a brick in the attack

Prosecuting barrister Simon Wilshire KC said post-mortem tests showed Ms Cleary had 37 stab wounds - and called the attack "frenzied", while the judge Michael Simon described it as brutal.

He imposed a mandatory life sentence and said Clark must spend at least 25 years and six months in prison before parole could be considered.

"It is difficult for anyone to conceive the anxiety and terror that Diane Cleary must have experienced," said the judge.

"Diane Cleary was doing the most natural thing in the world - protecting her child from someone she thought was not good for her, and she paid with her life for it."

'My mum'

After his arrest, Clark told police he had "blacked out".

Clark also admitted wounding Caitlin Cleary.

She cried at Friday's hearing at Luton Crown Court as she read a statement describing how she had been affected by her mother's murder.

The killer wept and shook in the dock as his ex-partner said: "I tried to give you everything and you took away the one person I needed most - my mum.

"I will never see my mum smile again."

One of Ms Cleary's grandchildren is the daughter of Luton boxer Tysie Gallagher.

Gallagher's scheduled defence of her British, Commonwealth and WBO international titles was postponed as a result of Ms Cleary's death.

The super-bantamweight was due to meet Ebonie Jones on 7 February in Sheffield - but the fight was put back.

She also told the court of the impact Ms Cleary's murder had on the family and what Clark had done was "disgusting" and "selfish".

Jacob Clark shook and cried in the dock at Luton Crown Court on Friday

After the sentencing hearing, Det Insp Adam Bridges said: "Diane's life was taken in the most brutal and senseless way, and the pain her family continues to endure is unimaginable.

"He responded to the end of a relationship with extreme violence, and showed utter cowardice in attempting to go on the run from police."