Axe killer gets 14-year tarriff

An obsessed Wolverhampton father, who used an axe to decapitate his next-door neighbour after she had an affair with his 15-year-old son, can ask to be freed in five years.

Driven by his religious beliefs, church steward Anthony Ralph Phillips was convinced it was "right" for him to savagely murder "wicked" Lorraine Howell, who had given birth to his son's baby daughter, a High Court judge heard. But London's High Court was told Phillips, formerly of Lewis Avenue, Eastfield, now says he is "truly sorry".

He was jailed for life for the divorcee's murder at Birmingham Crown Court in February 2000.

After reviewing the case at London's Royal Courts of Justice yesterday, Mr Justice Pitchford ruled he must serve a minimum jail "tariff" of 14 years for his crime.

After time spent on remand is taken into account, the decision means Phillips can apply for parole in early 2013.

The court heard he "became obsessed" with the thought that Mrs Howell had "seduced" his son and, when police would not take any action, he went out and bought an axe.

On May 1, 1999 he went to bed as normal after his night shift.

But he later got out of bed and went next door carrying the axe.

He later admitted he had been planning the killing for the past four weeks.

Psychiatrists at his trial said he was suffering from Asperger's Syndrome and severe depression.

Mr Justice Pitchford said Phillips had written to the Home Secretary saying: "I am truly sorry for what I've done and for the distress I've caused to everyone, but especially to the family of Lorraine.

"I should have controlled my anger and turned it into understanding and forgiveness".

Once Phillips has completed his minimum tariff, he will be freed if he can convince the parole board it is safe to do so.

Once released, he will remain on perpetual "life licence", subject to prison recall if he puts a foot wrong ever again.