Man jailed for stabbing ex-girlfriend to death

Chris Hemming was sentenced to 15 years

A Worcestershire man who "brutally" killed his ex-partner in a knife attack has been jailed for at least 15 years for murder.

Chris Hemming, 47, of Other Road, Redditch, killed Cheryl McKenna, 44, at their home on the morning of 11 November 2024. Hemming changed his not guilty plea five days into the trial.

The court heard how he attacked Ms McKenna because he had discovered she was in a new relationship. The pair had separated at the start of 2024 but still shared the home.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 15 years and 117 days on Monday at Worcester Crown Court.

After the attack Hemming called a friend of Ms McKenna's using her phone, where he said, "I wish the camera worked on this phone so I could show you what I've done".

He then called emergency services where he told the call-taker: "I've killed my ex-partner."

Cheryl McKenna fell victim to a "purely evil" crime, police said.

In an earlier statement, Ms McKenna's family said: "Cheryl was a huge and integral part of our family and will be missed terribly as a mother, daughter, sister and aunt,"

Det Ch Insp Gareth Lougher of West Mercia Police said: "It is clear to us that the attack on Cheryl intended to kill her after he [Hemming] realised their relationship had ended, and he couldn't bear to see her happy with someone else.

"It was simply a case of 'if I can't have her, no one can'.

"What Hemming did that day was a purely evil crime, and despite admitting to the killing Cheryl when he called police, he then chose to enter a not guilty plea at court."