A former professional cage fighter who killed a former girlfriend in front of her child has been jailed for a minimum of 32 years by a court in Manchester. Andrew Wadsworth, 37, had been convicted of murder, and attempted murder, by a jury at the Crown Court sitting at Manchester. Wadsworth had stabbed Melissa Belshaw to death in her own home on 20thMay 2020. Following her killing he went into the street to launch a murderous attack on a passer-by. Claims by Wadsworth for reduced culpability based on a loss of control were rejected by the jury.
On 3rd December the trial judge, Mrs Justice Yip sentenced Wadsworth to life imprisonment for the murder of Melissa Belshaw. He was given a further life sentence for the attempted murder of a neighbour. The Sentencing Judge took the time to commend to the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester the heroism of two police officers, and a civilian, whose interventions at the scene prevented greater bloodshed. Tim Storrie QC for the Prosecution, together with Charlotte Crangle of the CPS, for CPS North West. To read more follow the links below:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-55176880
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/murdered-mums-friend-says-killer-19386404