Man who stabbed partner 27 times jailed for at least 18 years

Corey Dryden was jailed at the High Court in Edinburgh

A man who stabbed his partner 27 times during a brutal deadly attack at their home in the Borders has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 18 years.

Corey Dryden, 32, had initially claimed Megan Hughes had attacked him and he had acted in self-defence but last month pleaded guilty to murdering the 31-year-old at the property on Windram Road in Chirnside in February.

Dryden, who attended the sentencing hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh via videolink from prison, showed no emotion as judge Lord Harrower sentenced him.

The judge described it as a "sustained" and "savage" attack which was carried out using a knife and a claw hammer.

Dryden admitted murdering Megan Hughes in February this year

The court previously heard how police arrested Dryden soon after the assault and took him into custody.

He had told police officers he could not remember what he had done.

Last month he pleaded guilty to murdering Ms Hughes by repeatedly striking her on the head and body with a knife.

The charge also contained details of how he repeatedly struck his partner with a hammer "or a similar object" during the attack.

The attack happened at a property in Chirnside in February

The court was told the pair had known each other since childhood but had started living together in July last year.

Ms Hughes had two children from a previous relationship.

The court heard that on the day of the attack neighbours had been woken at about 02:15 by loud banging and Ms Hughes shouting: "Please help me".

Things quietened down but Dryden phoned police at about 04:30 claiming his partner had stabbed herself after attacking him with a hammer.

Officers who responded found Ms Hughes lying on the floor of an upstairs bedroom with a kitchen knife in her right hand.

The court heard how officers started doing CPR but paramedics later pronounced her dead.

Pathologists carried out a post-mortem examination on Ms Hughes's body the day after the fatal attack and the cause of death was recorded as stab wounds to the chest and neck.

'Deeply remorseful'

Lord Harrower was told Dryden was "deeply remorseful" for his actions.

A statement read on his behalf said he realised no sentence could "justify or bring closure to her family for the despicable, monstrous crime I have committed".

"'I have turned everyone's life upside down," it added. "I will never be able to forgive myself."

Lord Harrower told him he would have to serve a minimum of 18 years for the "sustained" and "savage" attack which was carried out using a knife and a claw hammer.

He said Dryden had caused "terrible devastation" to Ms Hughes' family and that no sentence could "alleviate their anguish".

'Horrific assault'

Moira Orr, who leads on homicide and major crime for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, said: "Corey Dryden is a violent and dangerous man who murdered Megan Hughes in her home, where she had the right to be safe.

"After subjecting her to a horrific assault, he left his partner on the floor to die instead of calling for help.

"His cruel and callous actions have robbed Megan of her future and left her family and loved ones to deal with this unimaginable loss. Our thoughts remain with them."

Ch Insp Laura White described it as a "vicious and calculated attack" and said Dryden had robbed a family of "their mum, daughter, granddaughter, sister and niece".