Man jailed for brutal murder of ex-girlfriend in Redditch

MAN JAILED FOR BRUTAL MURDER OF EX-GIRLFRIEND IN REDDITCH

A Worcestershire man named Chris Hemming, aged 47, has been sentenced to a minimum of 15 years in prison for the murder of his ex-partner Cheryl McKenna.

Hemming committed the killing at their home on the morning of 11 November 2024 and changed his plea from not guilty to guilty five days into his trial.

The court was told that Hemming attacked Ms McKenna because he found out she was in a new relationship.

Although they had separated earlier in 2024, they still shared the same house.

Hemming was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 15 years and 117 days at Worcester Crown Court.

After the attack, Hemming contacted a friend of Ms McKenna’s using her phone and expressed remorse, saying, "I wish the camera worked on this phone so I could show you what I've done." He then called emergency services and confessed, "I've killed my ex-partner." Hemming’s mugshot shows a man with a shaved head, dark stubbly hair, and a dark beard, wearing a grey jumper.

The police described the crime as an act of pure evil, with Det Ch Insp Gareth Lougher stating, "It is clear to us that the attack on Cheryl intended to kill her after he [Hemming] realised their relationship had ended, and he couldn't bear to see her happy with someone else.

It was simply a case of 'if I can't have her, no one can'." The victim’s family expressed their grief, emphasizing how much Cheryl McKenna meant to them.

Hemming’s actions are considered a domestic homicide, and he received a 15-year minimum detention sentence, with the court noting the brutal and malicious nature of the crime.