Killer on ‘bad weed trip’ is cleared of his lover’s murder
A CANNABIS user who stabbed, strangled and ran over his partner during a psychotic episode has been cleared of murder after admitting manslaughter.
Jake Notman inflicted more than 30 stab wounds on university student Lauren Bloomer, 25, after eating a cannabis brownie at their home in Tamworth, Staffordshire, on November 20 last year.
The Jaguar Land Rover factory worker, 27, denied murdering Ms Bloomer, claiming he did not form the necessary intent due to his mental state. Notman yesterday pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter on the sixth day of his trial at Stafford crown court after prosecutors offered no further evidence on a charge of murder.
The trial heard Ms Bloomer ‘recorded her own murder’ on a mobile phone after searching the internet for advice about the ‘bad weed trip’ suffered by Notman.
Jurors were told the near 17-minute recording caught her screams and cries for help before Notman was heard saying ‘I am going to make sure’ before the sound of a revving engine.
A thud was then recorded by the victim’s phone as Notman’s Ford Kuga was being driven over her.
Jailing him for eight years and eight months, Mrs Justice May said: ‘Cannabis can be very dangerous. It is an illegal drug for good reason.’