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Father jailed for murdering son Father jailed for murdering son
(about 2 hours later)
A man who murdered his four-year-old son and tried to kill his teenage daughter has been jailed for life and told he must serve 21 years.A man who murdered his four-year-old son and tried to kill his teenage daughter has been jailed for life and told he must serve 21 years.
Christopher Hawkins, 47, of Royd Street, Slaithwaite, Huddersfield, stabbed son Ryan to death last September, Leeds Crown Court heard.Christopher Hawkins, 47, of Royd Street, Slaithwaite, Huddersfield, stabbed son Ryan to death last September, Leeds Crown Court heard.
He was also convicted of attempting to murder his daughter Donna, 14.He was also convicted of attempting to murder his daughter Donna, 14.
Mr Justice Wilkie said Hawkins had killed Ryan as "a cold-hearted vehicle to avenge his wife's affair".Mr Justice Wilkie said Hawkins had killed Ryan as "a cold-hearted vehicle to avenge his wife's affair".
The judge told Hawkins: "A more horrific crime it is hard to imagine than savagely and repeatedly to stab your young son who, in his agony, had to try to fend off blows from one of the people he was most entitled to expect love and affection.The judge told Hawkins: "A more horrific crime it is hard to imagine than savagely and repeatedly to stab your young son who, in his agony, had to try to fend off blows from one of the people he was most entitled to expect love and affection.
"Although to this court, and after the event, you profess great love for Ryan and mourned his passing, in my judgment, having seen you give evidence and had the opportunity to assess your genuineness, these were crocodile tears." "Although to this court, and after the event, you profess great love for Ryan and mourned his passing, in my judgment... these were crocodile tears."
Extremely unhappy 'I love you'
Judge Wilkie said he did not accept that Ryan had been killed in a spontaneous attack. Hawkins's wife, Valerie Gee, said he "deserved everything he got" for murdering Ryan.
"I'm satisfied that you used him (Ryan) cold-heartedly as a vehicle for avenging yourself on your wife." "No amount of time in prison will ever equal the pain and suffering we have got to go through every day without Ryan in our lives," she said.
Hawkins and his wife, Valerie Gee, had separated in May 2007 after she told him she no longer loved him. "He [Ryan] was a lively and loving child who would always be giving us hugs and kisses.
The sheet metal worker later discovered that she had started an affair with taxi driver Lee Tinker, while they were still living together and was "extremely unhappy" about the relationship. The judge said Christopher Hawkins committed an 'horrific act'
Donna Hawkins survived being stabbed 13 times "I remember the last time I spoke to him I said 'I love you', and that's what I will always remember."
Judge Wilkie said he did not accept that Hawkins killed Ryan in a spontaneous attack.
"I'm satisfied that you used him [Ryan] cold-heartedly as a vehicle for avenging yourself on your wife."
Hawkins and his wife had separated in May 2007.
The sheet metal worker later discovered that she had started an affair with taxi driver Lee Tinker, while they were still living together.
The day before the fatal attack would have been his and Miss Gee's 17th wedding anniversary.The day before the fatal attack would have been his and Miss Gee's 17th wedding anniversary.
'Moral courage'
But the judge went on to praise Donna, 14, who had suffered serious multiple wounds in the attack.But the judge went on to praise Donna, 14, who had suffered serious multiple wounds in the attack.
He said the teenager's court appearance was in "stark contrast" to the performance of Hawkins, who he (the judge) accused of not having the "moral courage" to face up to what he did, instead blaming "something evil" inside him.He said the teenager's court appearance was in "stark contrast" to the performance of Hawkins, who he (the judge) accused of not having the "moral courage" to face up to what he did, instead blaming "something evil" inside him.
"Your daughter, by the way she gave her evidence, showed herself to be a credit to herself, her mother and her sister. Donna suffered injuries to her face, chest, abdomen, arm and thigh. Two of the wounds had penetrated her liver and lung.
"This is the more so when one is aware of the pain and difficulties she has been subject to."
Donna suffered injuries to her face, chest, abdomen, arm and thigh. Two of the wounds had penetrated her abdomen with sufficient force to also penetrate her liver and deflate her lung.
Hawkins had also "cut a chunk" out of his daughter's right arm.Hawkins had also "cut a chunk" out of his daughter's right arm.
Judge Wilkie said: "I'm satisfied, but for the speed and skill of the doctors at the hospital, you would have faced two murder charges."Judge Wilkie said: "I'm satisfied, but for the speed and skill of the doctors at the hospital, you would have faced two murder charges."