Man who stabbed friend to death guilty of murder

A man who stabbed his friend to death and broke into his ex-partner's home on a rampage aimed at "settling scores" has been found guilty of murder.

Andrew Hall, 59, from Rochdale, attacked his friend Geoffrey Ives, 75, at his home in Heywood on 27 January 2023, armed with two knives.

Mr Ives was bleeding to death as Hall took a taxi to Middleton and smashed his way into his ex-partner's home before he was tackled by the woman's son.

He was found guilty of murder and aggravated burglary at a trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.

Hall arrived at Mr Ives' home on Hardfield Street at about 22:00 BST, armed with two knives.

He stabbed the man he called his friend in the face and neck, before setting off for his ex-partner's home.

Armed with the same vegetable knife he used to kill Mr Ives, Hall broke in but realised his ex-partner, who had a restraining order against him, was not home.

He then threatened to hurt those inside with the murder weapon "if they did not tell him where she was", Joanne Cunliffe of the Crown Prosecution Service said.

Hall was tackled by his ex-partner's son and restrained until police arrived.

When arrested for aggravated burglary, he told officers he had been "settling scores" that night.

Mr Ives body was discovered days later.

Ms Cunliffe said Hall is "clearly a very dangerous man", who was "prepared to threaten and use violence against anyone he crossed paths with that night".

Hall previously pleaded guilty to breaching the restraining order, but denied murder and aggravated burglary.

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