Killer Alan Bennett Jailed For At Least 32 Years

Alan Bennett, who admitted murdering his partner as well as the mother of his children, has been jailed for at least 32 years.

The 34-year-old stabbed Lynne Freeman, 46, and Jodie Betteridge, 30, dozens of times at two properties just minutes apart in Redcar in March this year.

His three young children were at the scene of the second killing.

"I hope you rot," shouted one relative as the killer was led away at Teeside Crown Court to begin his double life sentence.

The court heard Bennett had become aggressive after getting drunk with Ms Freeman on 23 March, pushing her to the ground.

A witness said he ranted: "I've lost my kids, I'm not allowed to see them. I'll f****** kill her." [apparently referring to Ms Betteridge].

He then threatened Ms Freeman, telling her: "I will get your attention when we are home."

Bennett inflicted four stab wounds to her neck and left her with nine other chest and neck injuries.

He called police and then left to attack Ms Betteridge, who was with their children - aged four, six and nine.

The attack began inside the house and continued in the front garden, with 30 "sharp force injuries" inflicted to Ms Betteridge's head and 132 in total.

A neighbour said Bennett was "constantly stabbing Jodie like a crazed maniac".

The knife used to kill both women snapped during the second murder, with prosecutors saying if Ms Betteridge had lived she would have been seriously disfigured.

"The next-door neighbours heard screaming and shouting," said prosecutor Andrew Robertson.

"They looked out and saw the defendant strike the deceased in the front garden. The children of the defendant and the deceased were standing and screaming near their mother."

Police and paramedics were already at the first murder scene when Bennett was arrested less than a mile away at Byland Close.

The court heard Bennett had a mental illness, but that it was not serious enough to be a defence to the murders.

He was jailed for a minimum term of 32 years and 233 days.