WELWYN GARDEN CITY MAN JAILED FOR LIFE AFTER BRUTAL DOMESTIC MURDER
Alex Staines, who was found guilty of murder, received a life sentence after stabbing his former partner, Christie Frewin, 25, seventeen times in Welwyn Garden City on January 27.The court was informed that their relationship, which started in 2013 and produced three children, ended in 2018.
Judge Michael Kay QC described Staines as an abusive and controlling individual who believed his ex-partner had no right to live independently.
Before the attack, Staines had devised a serious plan to harm Christie because she was communicating with other men.
It was disclosed that he was jealous of any new male acquaintances and had previously caused her distress by harassing her, leading to police intervention and emergency protective orders.
Despite these issues, Staines was out on bail for an assault on Ms Frewin in January 2021 when he carried out the brutal assault, which the court characterized as driven by a 'serious plan' to kill her and her children.
He stabbed her seventeen times with a large kitchen knife at her residence, resulting in her death as her three children were present nearby.
Following the attack, Staines surrendered himself at Hatfield police station.
The judge noted that it was unlikely the children witnessed the murder itself, though they probably heard her screams.
Christie Frewin’s family expressed their sorrow and frustration, criticizing the sentence's apparent leniency and indicating intentions to seek a review.
The case underscores the risks associated with domestic abuse and coercive control, illustrating the tragic outcomes when intervention fails to prevent violence.
