Binge-drink murderer receives life sentence

JAILED for life . . . James Hurst

AN Oldham man who stabbed to death a man after binge drinking with him all day has been jailed for life.

James Samuel Hurst (29), of Littlemoor Lane, will serve a minimum of 26 years following his conviction by jury for the murder of 33-year-old Matthew McKenzie and possessing a bladed article in a public area without reasonable excuse to do so.

Mr McKenzie was discovered by a dog walker in an alley at the rear of Promenade Street, Heywood, at about 11.25pm on January 12.

He died from a stab wound to his chest which had penetrated 12 inches to his heart.

Hurst had been on a drinking session with Mr McKenzie from early on in the morning and they moved from one venue to another as the day wore on, ending up at a friend's address on Barley Hall Street, Heywood.

They had also started taking drugs on the day and at about 8pm Hurst and Mr McKenzie headed out.

They went into an alley at the back of Promenade Street where Hurst stabbed Mr McKenzie several times and left him lying on the ground.

Hurst returned to the house on Barley Hall Street before getting a taxi to an address in Oldham.

A murder investigation was launched and Hurst subsequently handed himself in on the morning of January 14.

During sentencing, Judge Field QC said: "You attacked Mr McKenzie with a kitchen knife, a knife which had been taken that morning. You had it with you as you walked to the alleyway, there is no lawful reason for you to have that knife.

"Within the alleyway, within the space of 57 seconds you stabbed Mr McKenzie several times.

"Having inflicted that fatal wound, you abandoned him where he was alone in the snow."

Senior Investigating Officer for GMP Bob Tonge said: "There is no question this was a cold-blooded murder, but Hurst put this family through even more agony by denying it. Matthew's loved ones have had to endure listening to the awful details of this case.

"I hope they can now begin to move forward with their lives, although I know nothing will replace losing Matthew."

Mr McKenzie's family said: "Matthew is still dearly loved and sadly missed by all his family and friends.

"Matthew's life was tragically taken in January, a victim of an unnecessary knife crime. Today, justice has been done. However there is no sentence long enough for what has happened. Matthew is still gone from this life and the heartache and hurt will remain with us forever."