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Child-killer father gets 21 years Father jailed for murdering son
(10 minutes 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.
Hawkins attacked the children as a form of revenge after his marriage broke down and his wife started an affair.Hawkins attacked the children as a form of revenge after his marriage broke down and his wife started an affair.
After the attack, Hawkins, who was covered in blood, had a pint in a pub and said he had stabbed his children.After the attack, Hawkins, who was covered in blood, had a pint in a pub and said he had stabbed his children.
He didn't think about Ryan or Donna, he only thought about getting back at her Simon Myerson QC , prosecutingHe didn't think about Ryan or Donna, he only thought about getting back at her Simon Myerson QC , prosecuting
It took the jury less than three hours to reach its verdict.It took the jury less than three hours to reach its verdict.
During the eight-day trial, sheet metal worker Hawkins claimed he had been insane and had no recollection of what he had done.During the eight-day trial, sheet metal worker Hawkins claimed he had been insane and had no recollection of what he had done.
He said: "It wasn't me that day. It was like some evil inside me.He said: "It wasn't me that day. It was like some evil inside me.
"I must have been insane. If I was sane that day, Ryan would be here now and my daughter would not have those horrific scars.""I must have been insane. If I was sane that day, Ryan would be here now and my daughter would not have those horrific scars."
Donna was stabbed 13 times but survived.Donna was stabbed 13 times but survived.
Donna Hawkins survived being stabbed 13 times Christopher Hawkins told the court he loved his children
The children were attacked after Donna went to collect her brother from their father's house, where he had been living since splitting with their mother Valerie Gee.The children were attacked after Donna went to collect her brother from their father's house, where he had been living since splitting with their mother Valerie Gee.
In court, the teenager said as she tried to leave the house, her father had apologised before stabbing her.In court, the teenager said as she tried to leave the house, her father had apologised before stabbing her.
The girl told police: "He [Hawkins] said I'm going to kill Ryan now."The girl told police: "He [Hawkins] said I'm going to kill Ryan now."
Ryan died after two of the nine stab wounds penetrated his heart. His sister was left with a deflated lung and stab wounds to her liver.Ryan died after two of the nine stab wounds penetrated his heart. His sister was left with a deflated lung and stab wounds to her liver.
The court heard that Hawkins wrote a series of notes, which mentioned his anger at finding out his wife of 17 years was having an affair and and one which stated he would kill his son.The court heard that Hawkins wrote a series of notes, which mentioned his anger at finding out his wife of 17 years was having an affair and and one which stated he would kill his son.
Despite admitting the notes were in his handwriting, he said he did not remember writing them.Despite admitting the notes were in his handwriting, he said he did not remember writing them.
Simon Myerson QC, prosecuting, said: "He didn't think about Ryan or Donna, he only thought about getting back at her."Simon Myerson QC, prosecuting, said: "He didn't think about Ryan or Donna, he only thought about getting back at her."
In the run-up to the murder Hawkins had been drinking up to 20 pints a day to get over his break-up, the court heard.In the run-up to the murder Hawkins had been drinking up to 20 pints a day to get over his break-up, the court heard.