Tony Browne murder: Woman admits murder of 'gentle and kind soul'

Tony Browne, aged 54, was stabbed to death

The twin daughters of a west Belfast man who was murdered by his girlfriend have described him as a "gentle and kind soul".

Tony Browne, 54, was at his home when he was murdered in 2022.

Wiktoria Maksymowicz stabbed him as he lay sleeping in his bed. She has been handed a life sentence after pleading guilty to murder.

Mr Browne's daughters Bobbi-Leigh and Shannon McIlwaine said that "their lives have been destroyed".

On Friday, at Laganside Crown Court, the 35-year-old pleaded guilty to Mr Browne's murder.

She admitted three offences "aggravated by reason of involving domestic abuse" which she had previously denied.

The amount of time she will spend in jail, before being eligible for parole, will be determined at a later date.

Gavan Duffy KC spoke on behalf of Maksymowicz, telling the family of Mr Browne that she "fully accepts and understands the anger of the family".

"She knows and accepts they will never forgive her. Had it not been for her consumption of drugs and alcohol this would not have happened."

He said: "She is truly sorry for what has happened. If there was any way she could change what happened she would.

The father-of-three has been described by his daughters as a "gentle, caring and spiritual man".

They said he was someone who always saw the best in everyone.

'Extremely controlling'

Bobbi-Leigh and Shannon told BBC News NI Maksymowicz was "extremely controlling".

Twins, Bobbi-Leigh and Shannon McIlwaine told the BBC that "their lives have been destroyed" by their father's murder

"She would take our dad's phone from him and at times didn't allow him to speak to his family."

The twins added: "Once they were on the Glider on the way home and a girl sat beside our dad. Wiktoria started screaming at him and shouting all over the bus. Everyone was filming it. She then stabbed him on the leg.

"That was the day before she murdered him."

'We didn't get to say goodbye'

Tony Browne with his twins

The 22-year-olds recalled the traumatic night their father was murdered.

"We got to his street and we could see lots of bright lights.

"There were so many police cars and ambulances outside his house along with a rapid response team.

Tony Browne was described as someone who always saw the best in everyone

"We thought maybe he was just badly hurt but by the time we got to the hospital they told us that he was dead.

"Even thinking about that day is so hard. We didn't get to say goodbye. We didn't get to tell our dad that we loved him one last time."

'Our daddy will never walk us down the aisle'

Shannon added: "I always think, when he died did he know that we loved him? Whenever he was dying - did he know?"

Bobbi-Leigh said the impact their father's murder has had on their lives has been "hugely distressing".

"It has completely traumatised us," she said.

"We identified our father's body. I will never forget that - ever."

Tony Browne with his twin daughters and son when they were children

"Our daddy will never walk us down the aisle," said Shannon.

"He'll never get to see his grandkids. Wiktoria took that opportunity away from him. She's taken it away from us.

"We're never going to see my dad being a grandad. She's ruined our lives," she added.

Call for support for male domestic violence victims

The twins are calling for support for men who are victims of domestic violence.

"Our dad was a victim of domestic abuse," they told BBC News NI.

"There still isn't much help for men. There is still a stigma around men asking for help," they said adding that there needs to be more awareness around men being abused."

If you have been affected by the issues covered in this story, help and support is available from BBC Action Line.