Abuser jailed for partner's 'ferocious' murder

A murderer and domestic abuser who tried to decapitate his partner after stabbing her dozens of times has been jailed for at least 18 years.

John Baldwin, 42, used a meat cleaver and knives during the attack on Eve McIntyre, 57, before leaving her for dead with her hands tied behind her back at their flat in Gateshead in August, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Ms McIntyre's daughter said the killing was "horrific" and she had been robbed of an opportunity to reconnect with her "deeply loved" mother.

Baldwin was jailed for life with a minimum term after admitting murder.

Baldwin and Ms McIntyre began a relationship in 2020 and moved into a ground floor flat in Sunderland Road soon after, prosecutor Francis FitzGibbon KC said.

Baldwin was "controlling, abusive and violent" towards her and she was constantly seen with bruises and injuries, the court heard.

As well as punching and kicking Ms McIntyre, Baldwin also attacked her with knives and a hammer but when challenged by neighbours he said: "I don't hit her that hard."

He was a drug user and had taken £20 of heroin when he attacked her for the final time in their living room on 21 August, the court heard.

After killing Ms McIntyre, he fled with a meat cleaver wearing only a kimono and slippers, getting on to a bus and threatening the driver to take him to Birtley, Mr FitzGibbon said.

Police were called and Baldwin hid the cleaver under a hedge before violently resisting arrest, with a baton, Taser and incapacitant spray used to eventually subdue him, the court heard.

Officers went to the flat where they found Ms McIntyre's body in the living room.

She had 37 knife injuries to her head and body including several to her neck, Mr FitzGibbon said.

Ms McIntyre's daughter told the court her mother loved to read, cook and spend time with her grandchildren, with her favourite phrase being "onwards and upwards, watch this space".

She was born and grew up in London but moved to Newcastle as a young woman after suffering a miscarriage when her then partner pushed her down some stairs, the court heard.

Her daughter said she did not think her mother ever got over the loss of her baby and it affected her throughout her life, with Ms McIntyre developing an alcohol addiction in later years.

The two became estranged in 2020 because of Ms McIntrye's drinking and she started seeing Baldwin shortly after the end of a long and happy marriage, the court heard.

"I was and am heartbroken," Ms McIntyre's daughter said, adding: "This was my mam and I loved her deeply.

"What happened was horrific, she was a human being, no-one should have to suffer the way she did.

"Even though we were not in a good place, I always hoped things would get better. Now that hope has been taken from me."

The court heard Baldwin had a history of violent offences including attacking women and smashing a bottle over a man's head before stabbing him with the shards.

Mr Justice Constable said Baldwin "exploited" Ms McIntyre's vulnerability through alcohol and the killing was an "escalation of the pattern of domestic violence against her".

He said the murder scene was one of "indescribable horror" and the attack was carried out with "extreme ferocity".

The judge said Ms McIntyre was a "kind friend to many" and "much loved mother and grandmother".

Baldwin, who also admitted affray and possessing a blade in a public place for his offences on the bus, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 18 years and 46 weeks.

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