Killer Brian Woodmass starts 12-year jail sentence

A former soldier who stabbed to death his ex-partner at their Oswestry home was today starting a 12-year prison sentence as his victim's family said their lives would never be the same.

Brian Woodmass, 59, was sentenced yesterday after admitting the manslaughter of 45-year-old Jill Nevitt on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

The grieving family of Mrs Nevitt, who was killed by her ex-partner just days before Christmas last year, have said the festive season 'will never be the same'.

Stafford Crown Court was told Woodmass carried out a frenzied attack on his former partner at the home they had shared in Orchard Street, Oswestry, on December 14 last year.

The ex-soldier used two knives to stab Mrs Nevitt 28 times, causing 16 substantial wounds to her chest, neck, back and abdomen.

The court heard victim impact statements from Mrs Nevitt's three daughters and was told the grandmother, who worked at Poundstretchers in Oswestry, particularly loved Christmas, decorating her home "with some gusto".

Her daughter Becqui said: "She was a wonderful woman who lived for her children and her grandchildren. I am just waiting to wake up from this nightmare. Christmas is not the same, it never will be. Mum was the soul of this family."

Daughter Donna said: "I still can't believe this has happened. My body is numb. "And daughter Nikki said in her statement she felt "cheated" that Woodmass had taken away their mother.

Mr Mark Wall, for Woodmass, said his client suffered from post traumatic stress from army service in the 1960s and 1970s.