Two murders admitted
EX-TEACHER KILLED HIS WIFE AND HER PARTNER
A FORMER head teacher has pleaded guilty to murdering his wife and her partner on New Year’s Day.
Helen Hancock (nee Almey), a Loughborough University graduate, and Martin Griffiths were found with multiple stab wounds in their home in Duffield, Derbyshire, an inquest had previously been told.
This week Rhys Hancock, 40, appeared at Derby Crown Court via a videolink from HMP Nottingham.
He confirmed he could hear the proceedings and pleaded guilty to murdering both Helen Hancock, 39, and Martin Griffiths, 48.
Clive Stockwell, representing Hancock, who appeared via a separate link, asked for a sentencing date to be held when the matter could be heard in court itself.
Addressing Hancock, of Portland Street, Etwall, Derbyshire, Judge Nirmal Shant QC, said: “You have pleaded guilty to two counts of murder and will be sentenced in due course.
“I can’t offer a date today, but one will be made in due course.
“I will vacate the trial date and adjourn for sentence and will be told what the date will be in due course. It may be this court or another court.”
At an inquest hearing in January, senior coroner Dr Robert Hunter said Ms Hancock had been working as a PE teacher at Fountains High School in Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire.
Reading a pathologist’s initial report into Ms Hancock’s injuries, he said: “The examination identified multiple stab wounds including defensive type injuries, some of which were indicative of severe force. A knife was recovered from the abdomen, the whole of the knife being within the body. The examination identified blunt trauma to the right eye.”
Dr Hunter said Mr Griffiths suffered stab wounds to his left shoulder and right side of his neck, as well as “defensive type injuries”.
A forensic pathologist said the provisional cause of death for both victims had been recorded as stab wounds.
Mrs Hancock’s family has described her as a “lovely, beautiful, friendly, bubbly and social person”.
Mr Griffiths was said to be “a lovely dad, husband, son, brother and uncle who had a passion for adventure, running and a love of animals”.
A family statement said: “He enjoyed travelling the world, mountain climbing and spending time with his two children. He will be greatly missed.”
Mr Griffiths ran DE22 Creative Design Solutions, which later rebranded to 22Creative and is based in Friar Gate, Derby.