Former hairdresser jailed for life over wife's murder

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Nov, 03:01 · Archive

Michael Pyke, 79, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for stabbing his wife of 50 years to death at their West Sussex home in May.

Michael Pyke, 79, a former hairdresser, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his wife Beryl at their home in Aldwick, West Sussex, in May this year. Pyke stabbed his wife multiple times in bed with a small kitchen knife after she refused his request for a cuddle, telling him to leave her bedroom. The couple had spent the evening at a friend's house on Saturday, May 30, and the attack occurred between 10.30pm that evening and 2.00pm on Sunday, May 31.

Hove Crown Court heard on Friday that Pyke's abuse of his wife spanned decades. Although he was a 'happy family man' with no previous convictions until the age of 60, he then began offending and served several prison sentences for multiple convictions, many relating to domestic violence against Ms Pyke. Judge Jeremy Gold KC described the victim as 'defenceless' and said of Pyke: 'I have no doubt from the number of times you stabbed Beryl it was your intention to kill her and you did so showing no mercy.'

Pyke confessed to his cousin Roger Taylor immediately after the killing, telling him what had happened. Taylor reported him to the authorities. Pyke pleaded guilty to murder in October and was sentenced on Friday to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 15 years. GB News reports that Pyke 'expects to die in prison'.

How it is being reported

• Man who murdered wife of 50 years in 'terrifying and sustained attack' jailed for lifeA 79-year-old man who stabbed his wife of 50 years to death in bed after subjecting her to years of domestic violence has been jailed for life. Michael Pyke, a former hairdresser, "expects to die in prison" after murdering Beryl Pyke at their home in Aldwick, West Sussex, in May this year. Hove Crown Court heard on Friday that Pyke was a "happy family man" with no previous convictions until he turned 60 and began offending, doing several stints in prison for multiple convictions, many relating to domestic violence against Ms Pyke. The father of two was sentenced yesterday to life…GB News · 14 Nov, 02:49
• Former hairdresser, 79, abused his wife, 84, for years before stabbing her to death while she was in bed after she said she didn't want to give him a cuddleMichael Pyke was sentenced to life imprisonment after murdering his wife of 50 years at their home in May.Daily Mail · 13 Nov, 21:33

In this story: Michael Pyke · Beryl Pyke · Aldwick, West Sussex · Hove Crown Court · Judge Jeremy Gold KC

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