A UK court [/b]has handed down a life imprisonment sentence to a Nigerian man named Conrad Irabor Martin Iyayi, who fatally stabbed his wife in their home.
The tragic incident occurred on February 6, 2022, when the 46-year-old Iyayi stabbed his wife, Katy Harris, seven times in the chest at their residence on Oak Crescent, Littleover, Derby.
Iyayi made a chilling call to the police shortly before 7:30 am on that fateful day, confessing to the murder of his wife.
Upon his arrest, Iyayi claimed that he couldn't recall the events after consuming drugs he had acquired from the dark web.
On February 8, he was charged with murder, initially denying any involvement in his wife's death. However, during his trial at Derby Crown Court, just two days later, he admitted his guilt.
On August 18, 2023, he was sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 18 years before he can be considered for release.
Detective Inspector Steve Shaw expressed, “Katy Harris was a much-loved mother, daughter, friend, and teacher. Her death was a tragic loss of life for her loved ones, as well as the hundreds of students whose lives she had touched through her work as a teacher.
“Our thoughts today are with Katy’s family, in particular her three children who she loved so much. Their dignity and support for this investigation has been exemplary and I cannot thank them enough for the way they have conducted themselves throughout what has been an incredibly difficult 18 months.
““Conrad Iyayi deprived Katy of what should have been a long and happy life with her family and friends – and has provided no credible explanation as to what happened in that house on the night in question.
“I hope that seeing Iyayi behind bars will give all those affected the space to now start rebuilding their lives and allow them to focus on the memories of Katy – who will live on in the hearts of all she knew.”
[/p]The court learned that Ms. Harris, an art teacher at St Clare’s School in Mickleover, had likely been sleeping in the spare room of their home due to her husband’s snoring. Their 11-year-old son was also at home in his bedroom that night.
Iyayi had watched Match of the Day with his son on the night of February 5 and was seen on CCTV walking his dog just before 3:00 am GMT the next morning. Notably, his coat showed bloodstains containing his wife’s DNA, suggesting the attack occurred earlier.
He later called the police, saying he believed he had killed his wife, and her lifeless body was discovered in the kitchen in a pool of blood.
A post-mortem examination revealed that Ms. Harris died from stab wounds to her chest, and injuries to her hand indicated that she fought for her life during parts of the attack.
In a victim impact statement, the couple’s son expressed his desire to have nothing to do with his father, saying, “He’s taken the most important person from me.”
Ms. Harris’ adult daughter, Phoebe Harris, read a statement on behalf of her and her sister Alexa, describing their mother’s murder as “devastating and traumatic.” They thanked those who supported the family and expressed their profound grief, stating that Iyayi's actions had left them feeling betrayed.
Iyayi’s barrister, Amjad Malik KC, acknowledged that the defendant had "destroyed a woman that he loved" for reasons he couldn't explain and that would haunt him forever.
During sentencing, Judge Shaun Smith KC highlighted the brutality of the crime, stating that Ms. Harris "would have been conscious for at least part of the attack." He emphasized that Iyayi had accepted responsibility in a letter and expressed his inability to understand why the murder occurred. Judge Smith described the killing as "brutal" and "needless," robbing a beloved woman of her life and leaving many others devastated.