Neighbour jailed for life after fatal stabbing in New Brighton
Officers rushed to Rakersfield Road at 10.25pm after paramedics found 57-year-old Roy Roberts with a stab wound. He was rushed to Arrowe Park Hospital but tragically died shortly after.
One stab wound ends a life
A Home Office post mortem confirmed Mr Roberts died from a single stab wound. His neighbour, 39-year-old Ian Martyn Holden, was arrested at the scene. Holden has now been jailed for life at Liverpool Crown Court after pleading guilty to manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility.
Minimum eight years behind bars
Holden must serve at least eight years and 17 days before he is eligible for parole.
“This has been an extremely difficult year for Mr Roberts’ family as they have had to come to terms with a future without him, and the knowledge that he died in such violent circumstances,” said Detective Chief Inspector Paul Nilsen.
Knife crime warning
Det Chief Insp Nilsen added: “Holden’s actions not only ended Mr Roberts’ life, they left his family and friends facing immense grief, especially at such a time of year.
“Anyone who picks up a knife in anger risks this tragic outcome — one man has lost his life, and another has lost his freedom.
“We’ll keep targeting those who carry and use weapons to protect Merseyside communities. My hope is Holden uses his time in custody to reflect and that when released, he no longer poses a threat.”
