Police hail Shrewsbury killer's nine-year jail term

Detectives today said they were satisfied with a nine-year jail term handed to a 26-year-old man for killing a Shrewsbury man found with multiple stab wounds at a town flat.

Wayne Austin, of Claverley Crescent, Harlescott, was handed the sentence at Stafford Crown Court yesterday after admitting the manslaughter of Paul Wayne Rugg.

The Crown Prosecution Service accepted the plea after Austin was initially charged with murder, which he had denied.

Mr Rugg, 52, was confirmed dead at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital after being found at his first floor flat in Kynaston Road, Harlescott Grange, with multiple stab wounds on January 6 last year.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson, of West Mercia Police, released a statement on behalf of Mr Rugg's family.

He said: "We accept the ruling of the court. It has been a lengthy and complex investigation and we are glad to see a successful conclusion."

Austin accepted a charge of manslaughter on the grounds that he did not intend to kill or seriously injure Mr Rugg. Judge John Wait said: "I accept this offence was not premeditated but it is aggravated by previous convictions. I have to pass an imprisonment for public protection."

Mr Stephen Linehan, prosecuting, said Austin went to Mr Rugg's flat to get alcohol. He told the court that after Mr Rugg demanded he left the flat, Austin became enraged stabbed the victim once in the leg and twice in the chest.

Mr Mark Wall, for Austin, said his client had been drinking since the age of 14 and by his early 20s alcohol had "taken over".