Doorman murdered city hairdresser

The mother-of-three died after being stabbed 23 times

A pub doorman who murdered his ex-partner in a Tyneside hair salon has been sentenced to life in prison.

Hairdresser Sharon Bell, 38, died after being stabbed 23 times in Newcastle's New York hair salon in May 2006.

Brian Whitfield, 44, of no fixed address, had denied murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

The judge at Newcastle Crown Court said he would spend 20 years in prison before being considered for parole.

During the trial, the court heard a security system recording of the mother-of-three pleading for her life.

Unanimous verdict

Whitfield attacked her with an electric stun gun before stabbing her with a kitchen knife, while she begged to be spared for the sake of her children.

On Friday, the jury of eight women and four men took just over two hours to find him unanimously guilty of murder.

Whitfield had shared a home with Miss Bell and her children

Judge Esmond Faulks said: "In your case there was a number of aggravating features. There is no mitigation whatsoever in your case.

"You showed no remorse whatsoever - indeed you were having sexual intercourse with another woman within three hours of the attack."

Whitfield, already on bail for harassing Miss Bell, was arrested two days after the murder at an address in the Walker area Newcastle.

He had lived with the hairdresser and her children in Belgrave Parade, Elswick, but following the split had moved out.

He denied using the stun gun, but the judge said in sentencing that it was "highly probable" that Whitfield had used the weapon on his ex-partner.

'Much loved'

Speaking after the trial, Det Ch Insp Roger Ford, who led the investigation said he was delighted with the verdict.

He said: "Sharon was a much loved and extremely popular person, who successfully combined bringing up three children with her chosen career as a hairdresser.

"That's in sharp contrast to Brian Whitfield, a jealous and possessive man who was unable to accept that his relationship with Sharon was over.

"He went to the salon and carried out a violent, horrific attack, then left her to die, showing no remorse or thoughts for her.

"In doing so, he showed himself to be a cold, calculating, brutal killer."

He praised the courage and dignity of Miss Bell's children and parents, and added that they wished him to pass on their thanks to the people of Newcastle for their support.