Mother tells daughter's murderer she forgives him

Warning - this story contains distressing content

The mother of woman murdered by her partner following an argument during their one-year anniversary has said she has forgiven him.

Chrissie Everett-Hickson, 21, suffered brain damage when Kain Tailby repeatedly banged her head against the concrete floor of their flat in the early hours of 18 February 2024. She died in hospital five days later.

Tailby, 31, admitted manslaughter but was found guilty of murder at Derby Crown Court and was jailed for 18 years on Friday.

Addressing Tailby in the dock, Ms Everett-Hickson's mother Dawn Hickson, said: "I wish you well, you will need those well-wishes to comfort your soul... I forgive you."

Addressing Tailby, Judge Shaun Smith KC said: "So many lives have been changed forever, by your violence.

"Your explosion of anger and violence snuffed out the life of your partner Chrissie Everett-Hickson. Lives of many people, including your own, have all unravelled.

"Chrissie's mother forgiving you is an unbelievable act of compassion... this was an abuse of trust and power. She was entitled to feel safe in her own home."

During the trial, prosecutor Mary Prior KC said the fatal attack took place at the couple's home in Riddings, Derbyshire.

The court heard Tailby put Ms Everett-Hickson in the bath to remove the blood that had started leaking from her ear.

Ms Everett-Hickson was taken to hospital and was found to have brain damage, a fractured skull and extensive bruising to her face, limbs and body, the court heard.

She was placed on life support, Mrs Prior added, but deteriorated in hospital.

Four days after the attack, it was agreed her life support should be withdrawn, following organ donation.

On Friday, the court heard Ms Everett-Hickson signed up for the organ donation register of her own accord before her death, which her mother said was testament to her "compassionate and considerate nature".

In her statement, she said she took some comfort in knowing her organs had gone to help others.

"Those five people have received the precious gift of life," she added.

Ms Everett-Hickson's three sisters Abbie Baker, Kay Lea Hogan and Jenny Everett-Hickson read out a victim impact to the court.

They said: "Words cannot begin to convey our devastating loss, grief and the overwhelming sadness we carry each day. Four sisters are now three.

"Home should be a place that you feel safe but that man abused that trust and left her cold and alone."

Ms Everett-Hickson's father, Shaun Everett, also paid tribute to his daughter, calling her his "little miracle" after being told he could not have children following a road traffic collision.

He said: "I have always been Mr Fix It to her, but I couldn't fix this.

"I will never be able to tell her I love her or how proud I am of her again.

"There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about her or look at photos of her."

Following his arrest, Tailby said he had been in a bad mood on the day of their anniversary due to a cat.

He said they had planned to celebrate their anniversary by going to the cinema in Derby but got on the wrong bus.

After going to the pub, they walked home to their first-floor flat in Greenhill Lane.

Within an hour of them getting home, their downstairs neighbour heard shouting and screaming, Mrs Prior told the court.

The neighbour heard Tailby say "don't do this to me! Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!"

The neighbour then texted a friend saying he was "seriously concerned" for Ms Everett-Hickson, then went outside to call the emergency services.

In the call, which was played to jurors, Tailby claimed his partner had "got a bit physical", so he "got a bit physical back".

Peter Joyce KC, defending, told the court Tailby has no previous cautions or convictions and is a father to a seven-year-old son.

Employed at a bakery firm for more than 14 years, he said Tailby had shown "total remorse and total regret".

"This is not an evil young man," he said. "Himself and his family are suffering from the guilt of what he's done.

"He regrets bitterly to what he has done to the young woman that he loved.

"This is a total disaster for [Chrissie], for her family and a disaster for him."

Det Insp Kane Martin, from Derbyshire Police, spoke outside Derby Crown Court following sentencing.

He said: "Chrissie was beautiful young mother with a loving family and whose infectious smile would brighten any room. She had her whole life ahead of her.

"Tailby took that from her on the evening of their first anniversary together. He pinned her to the ground and with his knees on her shoulder, he grabbed her by the neck and repeatedly, violent and deliberately slammed her head to the floor multiple times - only stopping when blood came from her ear.

"His first thought was not for Chrissie but for himself. Rather than take her and get her help, he took her unresponsive to the bath and washed the blood from her. This could only have been an attempt cover his tracks.

"After his arrest, he tried to spin a number of different stories - even trying to paint Chrissie as the person at fault for the argument which led to the fatal assault.

"He continued to deny that he intended to cause really serious harm but the jury saw through that.

"I'd encourage any person listening, watching or reading about Chrissie's case to seek help if you find yourself in a situation where you are experiencing domestic abuse - the help you need is available."

• If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, help and support is available via the BBC Action Line

Follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.