Paul Humphries has been jailed for a minimum of 20 years after murdering John Willdig in Morris Road, Southampton

Paul Humphries stabbed 70-year-old John Willdig to death outside his home in Morris Road, Southampton, in summer 2014.

Sarah Powdrill, George Taylor and Douglas Frina have all been recommended for High Sheriff Awards for stepping in after the altercation on June 23, last year, as the Recorder of Winchester, Judge Keith Cutler, handed down a minimum 20 year jail term to 36-year-old Humphries.

The court was told today that the three ended up "covered in blood" as they sought to save 70-year-old Mr Willdig, as Ms Powdrill performed CPR and the two male students supported his head and wounds.

Mr Cutler said: "Having been stabbed Mr Willdig shouted 'he's killed me, he's killed me!' It was with great courage that many people went to his aid. These three deserve particular mention."

Sentencing Humphries to a minimum term of 20 years in prison, and a lifetime license, Mr Cutler said: "At the time John Willdig was unarmed and a man of 70 years of age, we know he was of slight build and was clearly of no threat to you.

"He might have been a nuisance, he might have been an unwelcome visitor to the house, he might have even been abusive, but at no time did he provoke you.

John Willdig

"You lost control. He was a wholly innocent man. You intended to kill him. You showed little or no remorse when giving your evidence in court.

"You fled the scene, hid the knife in bushes and then avoided roads were you might be seen.

"There is a very sad background to these events. For some time you have been suffering from a disease of the mind."

Mitigating was Nigel Lickley QC who told the court Humphries had a history of paranoid schizophrenia.

"It's quite clear he has been blighted by that illness and probably will be for the rest of his life," he said.

"He will always be unwell and will never function as we perhaps think we do."

Prosecutor William Mousley QC added: "This was an unpremeditated attack. The explanation for the killing was not a deep-seeded thought he had but out of anger and malice."

In a statement released after the sentencing, Mr Willdig's family said: “We have collectively lost a father, brother, uncle and grandfather.  John was a well-known and respected member of the community in Southampton.  Some of the evidence in the trial does not reflect on our memory of John as a father. 

"John was a loving, caring and gentle man who unfortunately was in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Like any other, this situation should never have arisen.

“We would also like to thank the members of the public that tried to save our father, the police for their support during this time and everyone who helped bring this case to conclusion.”

Detective Sergeant Gareth Jones added: "We welcome today's sentence.  Hopefully John’s family can now start to move on and put the terrible events of this night behind them.

"I would like to thank them for their support and understanding throughout the investigation."