Belen Tripp murder: Telford pensioner who stabbed his wife 24 times is jailed for life
A Telford pensioner who stabbed his wife 24 times and left her to die while she pleaded for a doctor has been been jailed for life.
Peter Tripp, 70, of Sixth Avenue, Ketley Bank, admitted murdering his 52-year-old wife Belen, at their home on November 15 last year.
Judge Michael Chambers, sentencing at Stafford Crown Court, described the attack as "violent and brutal" and said Tripp had at no stage "showed any remorse whatsoever for what you did".
During the proceedings the court heard a recording of the 999 call Mrs Tripp had made as she desperately fought for her life.
The harrowing 10-minute recording included Mrs Tripp repeatedly screaming and asking her husband to get her a doctor.
At one point she asked "Do you want me to die?" to which Tripp responded by saying "Yes".
Prosecuting barrister Rachel Bland told how some of the wounds to Mrs Tripp's body were 13 to 14cms deep, with one having damaged the bones of her shoulder blades.
A pathologist said such an injury would have required "considerable force."
Mrs Tripp was found at the couple's home in Sixth Avenue, Ketley Bank, Telford, with defence wounds to her hands, arms and left side, likely made as she tried to fend off the attack. The attack had caused damage to her heart, lungs, and spleen. She had also been hit over the head with a rolling pin.
She was declared dead at 12.20am despite the efforts of paramedics.
The court had heard how the couple had been married since 2004, when Tripp was introduced to his wife to be by a mutual friend, who was already married to Belen's sister.
Tripp had travelled to the Philippines to meet her and she had returned to live with him in Ketley.
Mrs Bland told how the couple had been in an unhappy relationship and had not spoken for 15 days before Mrs Tripp was killed.
The court had been told of a previous occasion when Tripp visited his son and had a wound to his head where he said his wife had hit him with a rolling pin.
Mrs Bland explained that Mrs Tripp, a care worker, had returned home from work on the night she was killed, on November 15, at 11pm. By 11.20pm she had called the police.
With the call handlers unable to communicate with Mrs Tripp, who lay dying on the landing, officers were dispatched to the home.
When they arrived they first attempted to break down the door before Tripp answered in his boxer shorts and a T shirt with blood on his hands and his clothes.
Tripp, who served in the army for nine years and worked at MoD Donnington for 26 years, was said only to have spoken to police to say "my wife".
Police also found the gas taps in the house had been turned on with Tripp's intention being to commit suicide after the attack.
Sentencing, Judge Chambers said: "This was in any view a sustained and brutal attack in which you stabbed her repeatedly with a kitchen knife and struck her to the head with a rolling pin.
"This was an unprovoked attack following the culmination in the failure of your marriage which clearly at that stage was very unhappy and difficult indeed. She must have suffered during this sustained attack as she fought for her life. You ignored her pleas for help – you clearly intended to kill her then take your own life."
Judge Chambers also spoke of the "chilling" 999 call, adding: "The 999 call has been played to the court during the course of these proceedings and it is a chilling episode. She herself called 999 and the line remained open for some 10 minutes. She can be heard groaning and screaming in agony. She repeatedly asks you to call a doctor. Not only do you not do so but in turn refuse to do so. 'Why should I call a doctor' you said. When she replies 'you want me to die' you can be heard to reply "yes".
Tripp was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 13 years and 18 days.
Mrs Tripp, worked at Midlands-based firm CareTech.
A family tribute to Belen released at the time said: "Belen, a loving sister, sister-in-law and auntie, was a source of great joy and laughter. Her laugh is something we will never forget, her family were so important to her and she treasured the time she spent with them.
"We are all absolutely devastated and she will forever leave footprints in all of our hearts. The Filipino community in Telford will never ever forget her, we know they cherished all the good times and camaraderie.
"Goodbye our big sis and auntie, rest in peace now, we love you."
Police statement:
Police have urged domestic abuse sufferers to seek help, following the murder of Belen Tripp.
After Peter Tripp's life sentence for her murder, West Mercia Police have urged other people who may be suffering from domestic abuse to come forward.
Belen was commended for her bravery in calling emergency services during the fatal attack.
Detective Inspector Mark Bellamy said: "Belen Tripp suffered horrific abuse at the end of her life, at the hands of her husband. We hope that the jail sentence handed to Peter Tripp gives some comfort to Belen's family who have had to come to terms with the loss of Belen in the most painful way.
"I would like to take this opportunity to commend Belen for her courage in calling for help, despite suffering tremendous abuse.
"In spite of her immense courage the injuries inflicted upon her by her husband were too severe and she paid the ultimate price.
"Nobody should suffer such violence at the hands of a family member. I urge anyone suffering domestic violence and abuse to seek help."
For more information about domestic violence and abuse and where you can go to for help visit the West Mercia Police website.
