Father jailed for murdering son

Christopher Hawkins told the court he loved his children

A man who murdered his four-year-old son and tried to kill his teenage daughter has been jailed for life and told he must serve 21 years.

Christopher Hawkins, 47, of Royd Street, Slaithwaite, Huddersfield, stabbed son Ryan to death last September, Leeds Crown Court heard.

He was also convicted of attempting to murder his daughter Donna, 14.

Mr Justice Wilkie said Hawkins had killed Ryan as "a cold-hearted vehicle to avenge his wife's affair".

The judge told Hawkins: "A more horrific crime it is hard to imagine than savagely and repeatedly to stab your young son who, in his agony, had to try to fend off blows from one of the people he was most entitled to expect love and affection.

"Although to this court, and after the event, you profess great love for Ryan and mourned his passing, in my judgment... these were crocodile tears."

'I love you'

Hawkins's wife, Valerie Gee, said he "deserved everything he got" for murdering Ryan.

"No amount of time in prison will ever equal the pain and suffering we have got to go through every day without Ryan in our lives," she said.

"He [Ryan] was a lively and loving child who would always be giving us hugs and kisses.

The judge said Christopher Hawkins committed an 'horrific act'

"I remember the last time I spoke to him I said 'I love you', and that's what I will always remember."

Judge Wilkie said he did not accept that Hawkins killed Ryan in a spontaneous attack.

"I'm satisfied that you used him [Ryan] cold-heartedly as a vehicle for avenging yourself on your wife."

Hawkins and his wife had separated in May 2007.

The sheet metal worker later discovered that she had started an affair with taxi driver Lee Tinker, while they were still living together.

The day before the fatal attack would have been his and Miss Gee's 17th wedding anniversary.

'Moral courage'

But the judge went on to praise Donna, 14, who had suffered serious multiple wounds in the attack.

He said the teenager's court appearance was in "stark contrast" to the performance of Hawkins, who he (the judge) accused of not having the "moral courage" to face up to what he did, instead blaming "something evil" inside him.

Donna suffered injuries to her face, chest, abdomen, arm and thigh. Two of the wounds had penetrated her liver and lung.

Hawkins had also "cut a chunk" out of his daughter's right arm.

Judge Wilkie said: "I'm satisfied, but for the speed and skill of the doctors at the hospital, you would have faced two murder charges."