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Man jailed for life for 'despicable' murder

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary Kenneth Walker pictured in a mugshot. His head is looking down but his eyes are fixed on the camera. He has a bald head with short grey hair at the sides, ringed earrings in both ears, and a thick black and grey goatee beard tied at the bottom.Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary
Kenneth Walker was found guilty of killing Craig Laurie following a trial at Winchester Crown Court

A man has been jailed for 32 years for murder after stabbing another man to death in a "despicable, senseless act of violence".

Kenneth Walker was found guilty of killing Craig Laurie, 33, following a trial at Winchester Crown Court on 26 November.

Laurie was found fatally stabbed at Walker's property on Tasmania Close on Sunday 12 May shortly before 21:00 BST.

Walker also stabbed Craig Laurie's brother Scott, from Newbury, who survived.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary Craig Laurie smiles in a close up photo. He has wavy brown hair and a short brown beard, and is wearing a zip up jacket. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary
Craig Laurie's family described him as a "dearly missed father, partner, brother, uncle and friend"

At his trial jurors were told Walker had armed himself with a knife and deliberately inflicted a fatal stab wound to Laurie's chest after Laurie and his brother Scott came to Walker’s address in Popley.

Scott Laurie, 36, from Newbury, was also stabbed and suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital.

Walker was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 32 years and 165 days for murder, and 22 years for attempted murder. Both sentences will be served concurrently.

Walker's girlfriend Jane Byrne, 52, of Egerton Drive, was also jailed for 30 months for assisting an offender and 12 months for perverting the course of justice.

The court heard she deliberately attempted to obstruct the investigation by cleaning the scene and concealing evidence. The sentences will run concurrently.

Det Ch Inspector Matthew Watson said: “Kenneth Walker murdered Craig and attempted to do the same to his brother Scott in a despicable and senseless act of violence, which resulted in a much-loved father losing his life.

“I hope that today’s sentence helps Craig’s family rebuild their lives and that they are able to feel a small sense of comfort knowing that Kenneth Walker will spend a long time in prison for what he has done."

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