NEWS FEED
A man has been found guilty of murdering his former partner in Blandford.
Hairdresser Katrina O’Hara, aged 44, was fatally stabbed on 7 January inside Jock’s Barbers where she worked.
Her former partner Stuart Thomas, 49, of Blandford, was found guilty of her murder on 29 July following a 14-day trial at Winchester Crown Court. He is due to be sentenced at the same court at a date to be fixed in August 2016.
The court heard that Katrina and Thomas had been in a relationship since May 2015 and that the decline in their relationship resulted in him murdering her.
In the weeks before her death, Thomas had become increasingly aggressive, sending her abusive text messages and threats. It appeared that whilst she was content for the relationship to end, Thomas wanted it to continue.
The court was told how Thomas was involved in a number of altercations with Katrina. On 24 December 2015 he threw a make-up brush at her following a verbal dispute, resulting in bruising to her back. Thomas also turned up uninvited to Katrina’s address on 26 December, and pleaded with her to rekindle their relationship.
On 30 December, he was arrested on suspicion of harassment, assaults and threats to kill after Katrina made complaints to police.
At around 5pm on 7 January, Thomas left his home address and walked toward Blandford town centre. The court heard that Katrina was having her cigarette at the door of the barbers, just at the entrance to the alleyway. Thomas approached her at that location and pulled her back into the alleyway. Katrina ran back into the barbers shop itself and was pursued by Thomas who fatally stabbed her within the shop.
Following a call to the emergency services from a member of the public, police officers were first to arrive at Jock’s Barbers and found Katrina unconscious and unresponsive. Despite attempts at first aid by both officers and paramedics she did not recover and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police carried out a search of the area and located Thomas. A subsequent search nearby also found the kitchen knife used to murder Katrina.
Detective Inspector Richard Dixey, of Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “I am satisfied with the outcome of the investigation and my thoughts are with the family of Katrina who have behaved with restraint and dignity ever since this tragic event. I can only hope that the outcome of the court case offers some small comfort to them in the face of such heartbreak.
“Stuart Thomas was an abusive and controlling man who would not accept that his relationship with Katrina O’Hara was over. He sought to use harassment, violence, threats and emotional blackmail to control her behaviour, ultimately leading to her being stabbed to death.
“I would also like to thank officers from the Major Crime Investigation Team and other departments for their hard work. They have worked tirelessly to ensure that Thomas was brought to justice for his crime.”
