Killer claimed he had wanted family

Alec Goode claimed he was hoping to become a father and start a family but was instead today starting a life sentence in prison after killing his pregnant girlfriend in cold blood.

The 25-year-old had tried to convince a jury of seven women and five men that he had suffered a mental breakdown when he killed Kristie Johnson after she told him she was going to abort their baby the next day.

But the Stafford Crown Court jury decided he knew exactly what he was doing when he violently beat his 19-year-old partner before strangling her and grabbing a kitchen knife, stabbing her 17 times and slashing her face twice.

The attack, described by prosecutors as "brutal and murderous" happened at Kristie's ground floor flat in Armitage Road, Rugeley, on March 29 last year.The court heard Kristie was having doubts about settling down with Goode and she sent a text message to her sister Vicky just hours before she was killed saying: "I don't want Goodey I want Ian."

This was a reference to Ian Hollis, believed to be the father of Kristie's three-year-old daughter Taylor-Brooke. Goode, a track maintenance worker for Network Rail, tried to claim she had threatened to kill their baby and they had argued. He maintained she had started the violence and he only responded.

But prosecutor Mark Wall told the court that Kristie had signed on with a midwife that day and had previously sent a text message to Goode saying: "I have seen the pram I want."

Mr Wall said: "These were not the messages you would expect from someone planning to have an abortion."

He accused Goode of trying to "paint a picture for the jury" that Kristie had been the "author of her own death.

He told him: "She crossed you and you lost your temper. You started the violence that night because you couldn't take rejection."

When Goode, who was living with his father Dennis in Coulthwaite Way at the time of the murder, killed Kristie he brought to an end a relationship that had started years earlier.

The two had met as teenagers and they began dating but it was not easy. The court heard there was almost a love triangle between Kristie, Goode and Ian Hollis with Kristie leaving Goode for Hollis but then going back to him later.

Goode had been raised by his father from the age of 10 and had worked as a railway contractor for three years before being taken on by Network Rail.

He was involved with drugs and a heavy drinker. His lifestyle and temper had landed him in trouble before with two convictions and one caution for alcohol related violence.

In December 2002 he was cautioned for causing criminal damage after kicking a window at the Bo Jollies pub in Albion Street in an argument with another drinker.

In March 2005 he pleaded guilty at Cannock Magistrates Court to affray after butting a doorman at The Shrew pub in Market Street.

He had also pleaded guilty to public order offences outside The Shrew in August 2004 after arguing with doormen there.

Kristie Johnson and her unborn child were sadly the latest victims of Goode's temper.