Sentence awaited after murder conviction
The courtroom mood was tense as the sentencing hearing for 34-year-old Michael Ormandy proceeded on the day after he was found guilty of the murder of his girlfriend, Rebekah Campbell. Ormandy, of Linacre Lane in Litherland, was convicted by a jury on Wednesday, October 15, following a two-hour and 16-minute deliberation. Lawyers, family members, and supporters gathered for a potentially lengthy sentencing procedure in Liverpool, with attention turning to the factors the judge would weigh before imposing a final penalty.
The background of the case
Ms Campbell, aged 32, was killed at the Knowsley Heights block of flats in Huyton, where she lived. The Crown contended that Ormandy used a knife to inflict multiple stab wounds and slash injuries during an incident in April this year. Ormandy, who had previously trained as a cage fighter and boxer, denied involvement, arguing that he acted in self-defence. The trial heard that Ms Campbell sustained 18 stab wounds and nine slash injuries. A friend who was on the telephone with her during the attack heard her cry, “get out, go away Mick,” before the line went quiet, and Ms Campbell later died in hospital after asking, “am I gonna die?”
What happened in the immediate aftermath
Following the confrontation, Ormandy telephoned the emergency services and another alarming message emerged as he claimed to be wearing a “suicide vest” and threatened to “blow everyone up.” He was later arrested on the towpath of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, wearing body armour. In police custody, he commented that Ms Campbell “must have stabbed herself,” a remark the prosecution urged jurors to contrast with her injuries and the evidence collected at the scene.
Verdict and courtroom reactions
The jury, consisting of nine men and three women, returned a unanimous verdict of murder after less than three hours of deliberation. Some members of Ms Campbell’s family and friends cheered as the verdict was announced, while Ormandy smiled and clapped in the dock and addressed the public gallery in provocative terms. The judge, the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC, admonished him to remain silent or risk removal from the courtroom. The emotional atmosphere inside the courtroom reflected the high emotions tied to a case that has captivated the local community.
Judicial considerations in sentencing
As attention turned to sentencing, Judge Menary highlighted aggravating factors related to the defendant’s behavior, including his history of possessing knives. The judge’s remarks hinted at the likelihood of a severe sentence given the nature of the crime and the circumstances surrounding the incident. While the exact sentence was to be announced at the hearing, the court indicated that the defendant’s evidence—specifically his claim of carrying a knife habitually and the possibility of self-defence—would be weighed against the law and the impact on Ms Campbell’s family.
What comes next for families and the community
Families of the victim and those who supported them in the courtroom will be seeking closure as the sentencing concludes. Local advocates have called for continued support for those affected by domestic and relationship violence, emphasizing the importance of reliable reporting, early intervention, and access to trauma resources. The case has also drawn attention to the wider issue of how courts handle heavy, high-profile murder trials in urban areas, and how juries weigh evidence in complex scenarios of self-defence versus intent.
Key takeaway
The sentencing of Michael Ormandy marks a formal conclusion to a murder case that has left a lasting imprint on the Knowsley Heights community and beyond. The final penalty will reflect not only the verdict of the jury but also the court’s assessment of aggravating factors, victim impact, and the conduct surrounding the offence.
