Son's girlfriend killed in 'drunken rage'

The attack took place at the Royal Oak pub

A man has been jailed for five years for killing his son's girlfriend in a drunken rage at a disused pub in Birmingham.

Kerry Roberts, 21, died after a single stab wound to her neck and face in January last year.

Peter John Lambe, of Irving Street, Edgbaston, Birmingham, admitted manslaughter.

Birmingham Crown Court heard that Lambe, an alcoholic, had also attacked his son, Darren, 21, with a sherry bottle but had little recollection of what he had done.

Life ruined

Sentencing the 43-year-old on Monday, Mr Justice Rougier said: "Alcohol has ruined your life.

"It has taken away Kerry's and has gravely affected your son's.

Kerry Roberts suffered a single stab wound

"I accept that you didn't mean really serious harm, still less to kill her but you certainly meant to do her some harm."

The judge also handed him a concurrent six-month sentence for attacking his son.

The court heard that Lambe had attacked Miss Roberts, of Ludlow, Shropshire, in the Royal Oak pub in Lozells, Birmingham, on 19 January.

Bottle smashed

It followed an all-day drinking session in Birmingham city centre during which Lambe had consumed five pints of Guinness and three-quarters of a bottle of sherry.

William Davis QC, prosecuting, said the assaults happened as Darren Lambe, who was looking after the pub, and Miss Roberts argued and woke the defendant from a drunken sleep.

Lambe's son was knocked unconscious from a blow with the sherry bottle, which smashed, while Miss Roberts suffered a single, fatal stab wound to her neck and face.

During police interviews, Peter Lambe claimed he had stepped in to stop the argument and prevent violence between the pair, who were both heroin users.

John Saunders QC, defending, told the court his client's family had a history of alcoholism but Lambe had not had a drink for six months before the incident.

'Tragic incident'

He said the facts of the case were unclear but Lambe had not intended to kill Miss Roberts or cause grievous bodily harm to his son.

He added: "It's a very sad and unhappy story and of course, at the end of the day, Kerry Roberts has died as a result of this tragic incident.

"He doesn't remember the circumstances but he has accepted the evidence that it seems inevitable that he must have caused the injuries that killed Kerry."

Mr Saunders said that since his arrest and remand, Lambe had expressed regret for what had happened and was undergoing treatment for his alcoholism.