Evil boyfriend who murdered air steward after stabbing her to death in the eye with a kitchen knife jailed for life
AN EVIL boyfriend who murdered an air steward by stabbing her in the eye has been jailed for life.
Mum-of-two Michaela Hall, 49, was stabbed to death with a kitchen knife at her home in Mount Hawke, Cornwall.
Lee Kendall was today sentenced to life in prison and told he would serve a minimum of 21 years before he can be considered for parole.
He had been high on heroin and had drunk "industrial quantities" of cheap wine, according to the Honourable Mr. Justice Garnham, the judge presiding over the case.
Judge Garnham told him: "You heard your partner talking on the phone. You heard what Michaela was saying and you formed an opinion, to use your expression, that she was 'slagging you off'. You could not tolerate that."
The judge said that for two years Michaela "had shown you every kindness" and "had put up with your idleness, your sponging off her, your ill-temper, and your violence."
He added that there was no struggle but Kendall "grabbed her round the throat with one hand and with the other thrust the knife into her right eye."
Statements on behalf of Michaela's family were read out in court, with them describing the devastating impact her death has had on their lives.
Her eldest son said he suffered frequent nightmares and sleep paralysis, and would be seeking therapy in the future.
He said: "I will never be able to give her a hug. When I do my GCSEs she won't be able to help me.
"I don't have any parents now and I'm scared of losing any more of my loved ones."
And her youngest son added: "Dear judge, I want to tell you some things about my mum. My mum was a good person and I love her very much. She doesn't deserve this.
"I will never get a phone call from her or a present. She will never pick me up from school.
"This week I had to collect my belongings from my old house, which was very sad to see."
Michaela's mother said the family should have been celebrating Michaela's birthday on October 20, 2021, but took the children to her gravesite instead, where they "took plants and balloons, and sang happy birthday."
And Michaela's sister said the family would now "drift through the rest of our lives."
TRAGIC LOSS
Speaking after the case, Detective Inspector Stephanie Blundell, senior investigating officer in the case, said: "Michaela suffered repeated assaults by Kendall whose campaign of violence and intimidation prevented her from accessing help and breaking the cycle of abuse.
"Michaela wanted to help Kendall, she gave him a home and he took advantage of her nature and support by repeatedly beating her during the course of their relationship and ultimately killing her.
"Despite Kendall's continuous lies and attempts to avail himself of any responsibility, a thorough and detailed investigation by determined officers from the Major Crime Investigation Team yielded the evidence to disprove his deceit.
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"I would like to commend the investigation and prosecution team as well as members of the public who came forward to assist the police and ensure justice was done.
"We send our deepest condolences to Michaela's family, who have demonstrated extreme dignity throughout the investigation and proceedings. I hope today's outcome will bring some small comfort to them."
How you can get help
Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
Women’s Aid provides a - available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.