Man who murdered wife in machete attack to be sentenced next month

A KILLER who admitted murdering his estranged wife in a “brutal” machete attack in the street will be sentenced next month.

CraigWoodhall, 41, haspleaded guilty to stabbing his 31- year- old wife Victoria, inset, multiple times after chasing her from their home on Windsor Crescent, Barnsley, in March.

Detectives said yesterday that Woodhall dragged his wife to the ground and stabbed her several times with a “Gurkha- style machete knife” before walking away, but returned twice to inflict more violence.

Mrs Woodhall, who worked at Rotherham General Hospital, suffered “significant and extensive” injuries in the attack on March 29, which was carried out in front of several people, police said.

Woodhall fled the scene but was arrested a short time later by two officers on Wombwell Lane after a car flashed its headlights at them and the defendant got out of the vehicle. Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Ben Wood said: “Victoria was subjected to a brutal and sustained attack and there were several people in the immediate vicinity who witnessed this horrifying murder.

“Victoria’s injuries were significant and extensive – she was stabbed with a Gurkha- style machete knife, which our officers recovered from the scene.

“While I am pleased that Woodhall has accepted responsibility for his crime, this will do little to comfort Victoria’s family and loved ones. I send my deepest condolences to them as they come to terms with their loss.

“This was a horrific attack. I know this incident caused a significant deal of distress within the local community, especially among those residents who witnessed the murder.

“Those eyewitnesses have received support from our partners at Victim Care to process the traumatic impact of this crime.”

Tributes were paid to the operating department practitioner by Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust after her death.

Angela Wood, chief nurse at the trust, described her as a “cherished and much- loved colleague”.

Woodhall pleaded guilty to murder during a hearing at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday. He will be sentenced on October 2.