A former DJ He stabbed his friend’s mother to death He went on a wild, drunken rampage while trying to protect his daughter from her attack.

According to the information provided by Worcester Crown Court, 51-year-old Damian Homer also stabbed his partner Stacey Hill with a kitchen knife, as she tried to protect her mother Wendy Francis from the attack.

Homer was sentenced Thursday to 20 years in prison for “selfish and cruel” murder and attempted murder.

The former dairy manager, DJ and maintenance worker sat with his head bowed throughout the almost two-hour hearing and often cried in the dock as family members, including Ms Francis’ son, described the murder as “bad” in victim impact statements read to the judge. Rupert Mayo.

Homer, who stabbed Ms Francis twice in the chest moments after using a key to enter her daughter’s house, pleaded guilty to murder and attempted murder at a previous hearing.

Unpacking the facts of the case, prosecutor Harpreet Sandhu said Ms Francis, 61, went to the property in Worcester after being alerted by her daughter who saw Homer armed with a knife.

The court heard Ms Francis arrived at the property at 8.21pm on March 2 to find her daughter screaming and being attacked in the kitchen.

Mr Sandhu told the court: “Wendy Francis said ‘get off my daughter’ and put her hands on the defendant’s shoulders.”

‘He was seized after an argument’

The court was told Homer, who appeared to be “excited” after an argument, repeatedly beat both women and then stabbed Miss Francis.

“Stacey Hill then stood on top of her mother so that any blows from the knife would be delivered to her rather than to her mother,” Mr Sandhu said.

Ms Francis suffered extensive injuries to her left lung and liver, suffered a heart attack and was pronounced dead at 9.18pm despite efforts by emergency services to save her.

Mr Sandhu added that Ms Hill, 38, believed she would die from injuries to her hand, hip, chest and abdomen, but still begged paramedics to help her before helping her mother.

Ms. Hill, who had a collapsed lung and a cut in her liver tissue, remained in hospital for ten days, three of which were in intensive care.

Homer, who lived with Miss Hill at the address, initially claimed he had acted in self-defence, but later wrote a letter to his partner while in custody saying “the alcohol had taken over me” and stating that he had little recollection of the attacks.

He also claimed he consumed more drinks on the day of the murder, including eight cans of cider and part of a bottle of wine, averaging around 108 units of alcohol per week.

Defending KC Timothy Hannam said Homer was “devastated and ashamed” by his actions and that he had “destroyed the lives of everyone in his family”.

Homer began drinking excessively in 1998 after losing his job and developing back problems.

Sentencing, Judge Mayo described the murder and attempted murder as selfish and cruel, adding: “This senseless murder took place during a near-fatal attack on your partner, Stacey Hill.

“Both of your victims suffered defensive injuries. It would not be an exaggeration to say that both women were fighting for their lives.”

In a statement released through West Mercia Police, Ms Francis’ family said: “She would do anything for anyone. The fact that Damian welcomes Homer into the family with open arms and shows nothing but love, support and loyalty towards him makes all of this much harder to understand.

“We may never understand why this happened on March 2, but what we do know is that he will be loved and missed forever. “The void he left in the lives of his family and friends is a void that can never be filled.”

Retired Detective Chief Inspector Leighton Harding, who led the investigation, said: “First and foremost, our thoughts remain with Wendy’s family.

“I would also like to recognize the second victim who survived Homer’s attack.

“The courage he showed despite the unimaginable trauma he faced was inspiring, and the evidence he was able to provide was undoubtedly instrumental in Homer’s conviction and today’s sentence.”

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