Killer given life for stabbing 'much-loved' man

A man who murdered a retired carer just two days after being released from prison has been jailed for life.

Owen Blades, 27, admitted stabbing "much-loved" John Connolly, 69, in his home in Lincoln in June 2024.

During a hearing at Lincoln Crown Court earlier, Judge Simon Hirst said Blades had launched "a ferocious and sustained attack" with a knife.

Blades, of Tennyson Street, Gainsborough, was told he must serve a minimum term of 35 years behind bars.

The court heard Blades had been in prison for assault, but was released on 11 June.

He binged on cocaine and alcohol and told a store security guard: "My name is Blades, and its Blades for a reason, because I stab people."

Harpreet Sandhu KC, prosecuting, told the court that on the morning of 13 June, Blades stole items from a Tesco store in Lincoln. He then went to an amusement arcade where he stabbed a member of staff following an argument over alcohol.

Blades burgled a house in Portland Street, before moving on to the home of Mr Connolly, who lived alone in the street.

It was likely that Mr Connolly had opened the door to Blades, who then attacked him.

Mr Connolly died from stab wounds to his neck. His body was discovered five days later by members of his family.

By then, Blades was in custody for stabbing the arcade worker.

The court heard Mr Connolly had worked as a carer and had been close to his family. A sister said he was "a very caring and loving person".

Phil Bradley KC, for Blades, argued there was not sufficient evidence to suggest he killed Mr Connolly for financial gain.

"He (Blades) simply does not remember what happened," Mr Bradley said.

In addition to murder, Blades pleaded guilty to four other offences on 13 June last year, including burglary, having an offensive weapon, theft and wounding the arcade worker with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm.

Blades watched the hearing via a video link from Wakefield Prison.

Passing sentence Judge Hirst said he could not be sure Blades murdered Mr Connolly for financial gain, but added "this was a sustained attack involving at least 18 blows with a knife".

It was an aggravating feature that Blades was on licence and had shown significant planning and premeditation by buying a knife.

The judge said it was clear that Mr Connolly was a "much-loved man".

He told Blades there was no guarantee he would be released at the end of his minimum term.

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