Life term for Everton fan murder

A man has been jailed for life for murdering a father-of-two and trying to kill his 14-year-old son who were going to watch an Everton football match.

Former Army corporal Graham McKenna, 45, was stabbed to death near his home in Upton Road, Claughton, Wirral. His son Michael was stabbed but survived.

At Liverpool Crown Court Gary Finlay, 46, pleaded guilty to the murder and attempted murder in January.

Finlay, of Alexandra Road, Birkenhead, must serve at least 25 years.

Mr McKenna, who was stabbed in the abdomen, died in hospital.

He served as a regular solider for 23 years until 2005 when he joined the Territorial Army in Birkenhead.

Gordon Cole QC, prosecuting, said Finlay became "bitter and vengeful" when his marriage to Mr McKenna's wife's sister, Deborah, broke down.

Mr McKenna and his wife, Gillian, 40, had offered to give evidence supporting Gillian's sister, Deborah, in the divorce proceedings which resulted in Gary Finlay losing access to their two children.

Their testimony was never required but Finlay "hated Gary and Gillian for being prepared to give evidence".

The court heard that on 10 January, Finlay stopped his car and stabbed the pair, who were waiting for a bus to go to Goodison Park to watch Everton play Hull City in the Premier League.

The court heard Finlay knew which bus stop Mr McKenna and his son, who had Everton season tickets, used to get to the football ground.

Before the attack Finlay told a friend: "That's where I'll get him."

He later asked the same friend when Everton FC were next playing their home game.

On the day of the killing Mr McKenna, described in court as someone who would never seek out trouble, took his former brother-in-law around the corner so Michael would not witness the two men arguing.

Finlay knocked him to the ground, then straddled his body and stabbed him 18 times with a 7in kitchen knife.

"Their lives have been irreparably damaged"

When the attack came to an end, Mr McKenna tried to crawl to safety but he got as far as the garden path of a nearby house before Finlay stabbed him again.

Finlay then walked around the corner and stabbed Michael, who was waiting for his father, in the chest, arms, abdomen and back.

His life was saved only because a member of the public, Jason Scott, intervened and charged at Finlay with clenched fists.

Police combed woodland in a huge manhunt in search of Finlay who was on the run for six weeks.

Judge Henry Globe QC, said: "His immediate family are lost without him, their lives have been irreparably damaged, they will never come to terms with his death."

Det Insp Andy O'Connor from Merseyside Police said: "These were particularly vicious attacks... resulting in the death of a man who had his whole life ahead of him.

"The intervention by members of the public during this attack undoubtedly saved Michael's life."

Andrew Menary QC, defending, said the attack was the result of an "explosive loss of temper and control" by Finlay.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
HM Courts
Merseyside Police
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites