Young woman spared jail for hiding killer's knife

Tom Gaughan died in hospital from his injuries three weeks after the knife attack

A young woman who hid a knife used by her boyfriend to murder a father-of-six has been sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for a year.

Gabrielle Hough, 19, was on a night out in Cleethorpes with Connor Hulse when he fatally stabbed 32-year-old Tom Gaughan in the head on 21 July 2023.

Hulse, of Chester Walk, Grimsby, was found guilty of murder in June at Hull Crown Court and was jailed for life on 3 September. He must serve a minimum of 23 years.

Hough, of Stewton Lane, Louth, previously admitted assisting an offender at the same court and was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work when she was sentenced on Thursday.

The court confirmed the 19-year-old, who has a young child, hid the knife used by Hulse following the murder.

Mr Gaughan was found with knife injuries to his head, ear, shoulder and arm outside the Swashbuckle Tavern on Grant Street.

He was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary but died 25 days later.

Connor Hulse had previous convictions for assault, possession of heroin and imitation firearm offences

The court previously heard Hulse and Hough had been drinking together, along with another friend, Daniel Champion, and all three were involved in anti-social behaviour in the hours leading up to the attack.

After being told to leave a bar, the group crossed paths with Mr Gaughan and Jack Kitchen, who had also been drinking.

A fight ensued between the two groups. Hulse, who had a history of criminal behaviour, pulled out a knife from the waistband of his trousers and stabbed Mr Gaughan through his skull causing "catastrophic" brain injuries, the court heard.

Hough had pleaded guilty to assisting offender on 10 June.

Hulse had previously admitted a charge of assaulting an emergency worker after he spat at a police officer during his arrest.

Champion, of Wellington Street, Grimsby, and Kitchen, of Tiverton Street, Cleethorpes, were sentenced to 21 months and 20 months in prison respectively earlier this month for their involvement in the fight.

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