A man who attacked and killed his partner at a neighbour’s house in Margate has been jailed for life.
Thomas Allen stabbed Samantha Murphy through a hole he had kicked in the front door of the property in Elfrida Close on Saturday 16 July 2022.
Ms Murphy, 37, suffered a catastrophic wound to her leg and, despite the work of paramedics, died at the scene.
Attending police officers quickly identified Allen as the attacker and he was arrested in Clifton Place around two hours later.
Jailed
Following an investigation by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, Allen, of Elfrida Close, was charged with Ms Murphy’s murder and was convicted at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday 25 January 2023.
The 38-year-old was brought back before the same court the following day and sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 27 years.
Police were called to the scene at around 3.10am on the night of the attack. Statements from witnesses established that the victim, offender and their neighbours had been socialising that evening.
An argument had then broken out during which Allen was said to have assaulted Ms Murphy at their home, before she made her way back to the neighbour’s house.
Allen followed shortly after and kicked a panel out of the neighbour’s front door.
As Ms Murphy approached the door to ask him to leave, Allen reached in through the hole with a knife, causing the fatal injury.
Allen was then driven from the scene, but tracked down by police and arrested.
Brought to justice
Detective Inspector Lee Neiles of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said: ‘Thomas Allen’s violent actions have deprived Ms Murphy’s family of a loving presence in their lives and I would like to express my sincere condolences to them.
‘I am pleased the actions of attending officers at the scene led to Allen’s quick arrest and that the subsequent investigation has led to him being convicted of murder. He has rightly now been removed from society for a long period of time.
‘I urge anyone suffering abuse or violence at the hands of a partner, or someone they know, to contact police as soon as possible. We will take action to keep you safe and hold those who might harm you to account.’