Man killed ex-lover's grandfather

Griffiths was described as "jealous and obsessive" by psychiatrists

A man who stabbed his girlfriend's grandfather, after their relationship ended, has been jailed for life.

Keith Griffiths, 24, from Stoke-on-Trent, was sentenced on Monday after admitting the murder of 59-year-old Harold Bunn, at a previous hearing.

Griffiths warned Tracy Wright he would kill her family if she ever left him, Stafford Crown Court had heard.

One letter to her threatened: "Have fun watching your family die, because you are going to watch each one."

How much do you like your family? Because your mum will be first Keith Griffiths' letter to Tracy Wright

Mr Bunn's body was discovered at his home in Hollinwood Close, Kidsgrove, on 30 December.

The court had heard how Griffiths had stabbed him five times with a kitchen knife on the doorstep of the bungalow.

Mr Bunn, who had two daughters and six grandchildren, was found in the hallway by a warden alerted by an anxious neighbour.

Griffiths, of Crystal Street, Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent, had written to his girlfriend warning of the consequences of leaving him

"How much do you like your family? Because your mum will be first.

"You think I am joking, try me. Have fun watching your family die because you are going to watch each one," he wrote.

Harold Bunn had six grandchildren

Sentencing, Judge Richard Tucker said psychiatric reports described Griffiths as a very jealous man who had an obsessive relationship with Miss Wright.

The Deputy High Court judge said: "You showed no remorse. It was, in my view, a heartless and cowardly attack for which there can be no reason or excuse."

In a statement, Mr Bunn's family said: "We are finding it hard to come to terms with our loss and can make no sense of why Harold was taken from us."

Griffiths was ordered to serve at least 12 years and 72 days in prison before he can be considered for release.