LONG EATON WEBSITE EXTRA

TWO LIFE SENTENCES FOR EX LONG EATON HEAD TEACHER

A former Long Eaton head teacher has been given two life sentences after killing his wife and her lover. Officers found Helen Hancock (nee Almey), 39, and Martin Griffiths, 48, from Derby, at her home in New Zealand Lane, Duffield, in the early hours of New Year’s Day. They had suffered fatal stab wounds. Rhys Hancock was sentenced at Derby Crown Court on October 1st, where Her Honour Judge Nirmal Shant QC told him he will serve at least 31 years before he can be considered for parole. The court heard that Hancock inflicted over 6o injuries on his wife and 37 wounds on Mr Griffiths. A paramedic said it was the most violent incident he had ever seen and described it as a bloodbath.

Hancock called the police after the attack and told them, “I’ve just murdered my wife in her bed.” He admitted to the murders when he appeared at court in July.

Her Honour Judge Nirmal Shant QC, sentencing Hancock, said: “What you did that night has deprived two families of the people they love and no sentence I impose will seem adequate to them and nothing I do can fill the undoubted void that the deaths of Helen Hancock and Martin Griffiths have left in their lives.

“Your actions that night left your three children without a mother and you left Martin’s family without a son and his children without a father.”

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Steve Shaw said: “What was apparent throughout our investigation was just how popular Helen and Martin were.

“They were much-loved by not only their families but by friends, neighbours and colleagues and I know their deaths have devastated everyone who knew them.”