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Canterbury man stabbed girlfriend to death before calling 999 to confess

A violent alcoholic stabbed his girlfriend to death before calling 999 to admit what he had done.

David Creed knifed Catherine Granger multiple times at the flat they shared in Long Acre Close, Canterbury.

David Creed admitted killing his girlfriend Catherine Granger Pic: Kent Police
David Creed admitted killing his girlfriend Catherine Granger Pic: Kent Police

The 53-year-old then called police to confess to stabbing the mum-of-two, leaving her with eight wounds to her front and back, including one that pierced her aorta and proved fatal.

But despite being charged with murder, Creed - who was suffering from alcohol dependency syndrome (ADS) - was convicted of the lesser charge of manslaughter by diminished responsibility after his plea was accepted by the prosecution.

Maidstone Crown Court was told the couple had been in an "antagonistic" relationship, with neighbours often hearing shouting from their flat and seeing empty bottles of vodka left outside.

On December 29, 2020, at about11.25am, Creed called 999 and asked for the police and ambulance service to attend his home, telling the operator he had repeatedly stabbed 50-year-old Ms Granger.

He added that they had both been drinking vodka and been arguing for the past four or five days.

Emergency services attended the address but, despite receiving urgent first aid, Ms Granger was pronounced dead at the scene.

Catherine Granger was stabbed to death in Canterbury
Catherine Granger was stabbed to death in Canterbury

A post-mortem examination carried out the following day ruled that the cause of death was multiple stab wounds to her back and one to her front.

Ms Granger is said to have told Creed after being stabbed: "Oh, you've killed me."

Recalling the 999 call, prosecutor Simon Taylor QC told the court: "[Creed] said he had stabbed his partner repeatedly in the back, something like two or three times.

"He informed the operator that they had both been drinking vodka and he had sliced his own finger with the knife.

"He told the first police officer who arrived 'I've stabbed my wife'.

"The officer then saw Ms Granger lying on the floor. A paramedic then also arrived but sadly she had died."

Creed later told police: "My partner kept going on and on."

Forensics teams at the scene in Long Acre Close
Forensics teams at the scene in Long Acre Close

Judge Philip Statman said that despite suffering from ADS, Creed - who claimed to have been hearing voices - had the ability to perform everyday tasks.

"The prosecution say that your drinking was voluntary," the judge added.

"There is also nothing to suggest that the voices you heard in your head were responsible for triggering your violent attack on your partner."

The court was told that while awaiting sentence, Creed threatened another prisoner with a knife and was confined to his cell for two weeks.

It was also revealed that in September 1998, Creed had been convicted of stabbing someone near a Woolworth Store in Margate.

He also received two cautions from police for domestic violence after complaints from Ms Granger.

Police at the scene in Long Acre Close, Canterbury
Police at the scene in Long Acre Close, Canterbury

Oliver Saxby QC, defending, argued that Creed's dependency on alcohol could be controlled and he would pose less danger to the public when released.

But Judge Statman ruled that legally Creed posed a significant risk to the public, despite contrary reports by psychiatrists who examined him.

Creed was jailed for 16 years and must serve two-thirds of his sentence before he will be considered for parole. He will also have to serve an extra four years on licence upon his release.

Following Ms Granger's death, her mother, Christine Ash, said: "We are all totally devastated.

"Catherine was much-loved. I am only grateful that I managed to chat to her, albeit virtually, on Christmas Day,"

"This is a tragic case in which a woman has lost her life after being subjected to a brutal attack by her own partner..."

Ms Granger was one of four sisters.

Family members each wrote statements outlining the impact her death has had on them, which were read out by the judge.

One described the killing as "both abrupt and shocking", saying it had brought emotional pain to all members of her family.

Det Sgt Ash Bowles, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: "This is a tragic case in which a woman has lost her life after being subjected to a brutal attack by her own partner, who will now spend a significant amount of time behind bars for the terrible crime he committed.

"I hope the outcome of this case is of some comfort to the friends and family of Ms Granger."

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