Brutal Double Murder Shocks Basingstoke
Stanley Elliott, 53, was handed a life sentence at 1 Crown Court for the savage murder of Geoffrey and Michelle Hibbert. The couple were viciously attacked at their home in Basingstoke after returning from a night out on 20 June last year.
Knife Attack Turns Deadly
The court heard Elliott inflicted a horrifying 58 wounds on Geoffrey Hibbert. As Michelle, 29, desperately called 999, Elliott turned the knife on her too. A chilling recording of the emergency call revealed Michelle begging for their lives as chaos unfolded.
Fury Over Blame for Bingo Hall Burglary
Judge Mr Justice Garnham revealed the attack started just after the couple arrived home in Buckland Avenue in the early hours. It’s believed Elliott’s rampage stemmed from a heated argument with Geoffrey over who should take the blame for a recent bingo hall burglary.
“This must have been the most dreadful and terrifying of deaths for Geoff and Michelle,” said the judge. “You armed yourself with a kitchen knife and stabbed your friends again and again. They each knew you were stabbing/" title="Stabbing" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">stabbing their spouse.”
The judge told Elliott the jury had been haunted by Michelle’s 999 call throughout the trial. “It is something I’m sure they will never forget,” he said. “This was a prolonged, angry and frenzied knife attack on two defenceless people that caused them immense pain and led to their deaths.”
