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Web murderer given life sentence Web murderer given life sentence
(30 minutes later)
A man from Germany has been jailed for life after being found guilty of stabbing a Nottingham student 86 times after stalking his girlfriend. A man from Germany has been jailed for life for stabbing a Nottingham student 86 times after stalking his girlfriend.
David Heiss, 21, from Limburg, became infatuated with 20-year-old Matthew Pyke's girlfriend Joanna Witton via a series of internet exchanges. David Heiss, 21, from Limburg, became infatuated with 20-year-old Matthew Pyke's girlfriend Joanna Witton during a series of internet exchanges.
Heiss, who denied the murder charge and said he was acting in self defence, was found guilty at Nottingham Crown Court.Heiss, who denied the murder charge and said he was acting in self defence, was found guilty at Nottingham Crown Court.
He was told he must serve a minimum of 18 years for the attack in 2008. The judge described Heiss's motive as "bizarre" and ordered him to serve at least 18 years for the 2008 attack.
During the trial the jury heard that on 18 September, 2008, Heiss flew from Frankfurt to Birmingham with a knife and made his way to the flat Matthew Pyke shared with his girlfriend Joanna Witton on North Sherwood Street in Nottingham. During the trial the jury heard that on 18 September, 2008, Heiss flew from Frankfurt to Birmingham with a knife and made his way to the flat Mr Pyke shared with his girlfriend Joanna Witton on North Sherwood Street in Nottingham.
He waited until Miss Witton left for work the following morning and confronted Mr Pyke, originally from Stowmarket in Suffolk.He waited until Miss Witton left for work the following morning and confronted Mr Pyke, originally from Stowmarket in Suffolk.
Matthew Pyke's mother Kim: 'He was very trusting'Matthew Pyke's mother Kim: 'He was very trusting'
Heiss had claimed he was acting in self defence after Mr Pyke charged at him with a knife.Heiss had claimed he was acting in self defence after Mr Pyke charged at him with a knife.
The court heard Miss Witton, who was originally from Selby in North Yorkshire, met Heiss through a website she ran with Mr Pyke.The court heard Miss Witton, who was originally from Selby in North Yorkshire, met Heiss through a website she ran with Mr Pyke.
Heiss spent six months pestering her with declarations of love and visited the couple twice in Nottingham before the attack.Heiss spent six months pestering her with declarations of love and visited the couple twice in Nottingham before the attack.
He became infuriated when the couple, who conducted their entire social life online, blocked Heiss from their website, preventing him from sending further messages to Miss Witton.He became infuriated when the couple, who conducted their entire social life online, blocked Heiss from their website, preventing him from sending further messages to Miss Witton.
'Bizarre motive' 'Great brother'
Mr Justice Keith said Heiss had remained in denial about the murder.Mr Justice Keith said Heiss had remained in denial about the murder.
He told Heiss: "The law permits only one punishment for the crime of murder and the sentence I pass on you is one of imprisonment for life.He told Heiss: "The law permits only one punishment for the crime of murder and the sentence I pass on you is one of imprisonment for life.
"The fact that your motive for murder was so bizarre doesn't make your killing of Matthew any the less serious.""The fact that your motive for murder was so bizarre doesn't make your killing of Matthew any the less serious."
People need to realise that on their computers there is a lot of personal information that other people can gather Det Ch Insp Tony Heydon, Nottinghamshire PolicePeople need to realise that on their computers there is a lot of personal information that other people can gather Det Ch Insp Tony Heydon, Nottinghamshire Police
Speaking after the trial, Mr Pyke's brother Adam Pyke said: "All it takes is one stab wound and somebody dies. Speaking after the trial, Mr Pyke's brother Adam said: "All it takes is one stab wound and somebody dies.
"He was a great brother to have and it's still difficult to come to terms with the fact that he's not going to be here anymore.""He was a great brother to have and it's still difficult to come to terms with the fact that he's not going to be here anymore."
Det Ch Insp Tony Heydon from Nottinghamshire Police warned people about the unknown dangers of the internet.Det Ch Insp Tony Heydon from Nottinghamshire Police warned people about the unknown dangers of the internet.
"It is the worst case I have dealt with. It is a horrific incident, a very pre-planned premeditated murder."It is the worst case I have dealt with. It is a horrific incident, a very pre-planned premeditated murder.
"The scene we found on the day was horrific and what happened to Matthew was a terrible act, everyone is shocked about what happened."The scene we found on the day was horrific and what happened to Matthew was a terrible act, everyone is shocked about what happened.
"David Heiss was very clever on the internet, and he learned a lot of information about Joanna Witton and Matthew Pyke and others."David Heiss was very clever on the internet, and he learned a lot of information about Joanna Witton and Matthew Pyke and others.
"It is very, very interesting that he could do that."It is very, very interesting that he could do that.
"One of the things that's important here is that people need to realise that on their computers there is a lot of personal information that other people can gather."One of the things that's important here is that people need to realise that on their computers there is a lot of personal information that other people can gather.
"We know that Heiss found out a lot of information about where they lived and where they worked and all sorts of things about their social network that perhaps now with hindsight they wouldn't want him to know."We know that Heiss found out a lot of information about where they lived and where they worked and all sorts of things about their social network that perhaps now with hindsight they wouldn't want him to know.
"So people need to bear that in mind when they are on their own systems using Facebook, people need to be careful.""So people need to bear that in mind when they are on their own systems using Facebook, people need to be careful."