Overview of the case and verdict
Jurors have delivered a unanimous verdict in the murder trial of Michael Ormandy, the 34-year-old from Linacre Lane, Litherland. Ormandy was found guilty of murdering his girlfriend, Rebekah Campbell, who was 32 years old at the time of her death. The verdict came after two hours and 16 minutes of deliberations by a panel of nine men and three women.
Ms Campbell was fatally stabbed in April at the Knowsley Heights block of flats in Huyton, where she lived. The court heard that she sustained 18 stab wounds and nine slash injuries. A friend who was on the phone with her at the moment she was attacked heard her shout, “get out, go away Mick,” before the line went silent. Emergency services later pronounced Ms Campbell dead at hospital after she collapsed outside the building.
The defense and the state of mind
Ormandy, who previously denied the charge, claimed to have acted in self-defence. The case raised questions about the events leading up to the stabbing and whether the confrontation escalated beyond control. The prosecution contended that Ormandy’s actions were premeditated and violent, with evidence suggesting he routinely carried knives. A key element cited by the judge in sentencing was the alleged use of a knife, which the defense asserted may not have been in Ms Campbell’s hands at any stage.
Immediate aftermath and police response
Following the fatal incident, Ormandy called police and claimed to have a “suicide vest” and threatened to “blow everyone up.” He was later found on the towpath of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, wearing body armour. In that moment, he suggested that Ms Campbell had stabbed herself. The police response was swift, and officers secured the area as part of their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.
Impact on family and the community
The outcome has brought some closure to Ms Campbell’s loved ones and friends who gathered at the courtroom when the verdict was delivered. The mood in the public gallery reflected a mixture of relief and lasting sorrow for a young woman whose life ended in what authorities described as a tragic and violent incident in a local community. The case has drawn attention to issues surrounding domestic violence and the safety of those living in close quarters within multi-storey flats.
What to expect next in court
Ormandy is expected to be sentenced in a process that will determine the length and conditions of his imprisonment. The presiding judge, the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool, addressed the defendant on the matter of potential aggravating factors tied to carrying knives. The judge noted that even if a knife had not been used, Ormandy’s prior habit of carrying blades represents a substantial aggravating feature of the case. At the conclusion of the sentencing hearing, the court will determine whether additional penalties or orders, such as life imprisonment with a minimum term, are warranted based on the evidence presented during the trial.
Key points from the courtroom
- Constitution of the verdict: unanimous guilty verdict after a lengthy jury deliberation.
- Immediate actions by the defendant post-incident, including police contact and public statements.
- Judge’s remarks on weapons and aggravating factors relevant to sentencing.
- Impact on family, friends, and the broader community in Huyton and Knowsley.
Context and significance
The case underscores the fatal consequences that can arise from domestic disputes and the penalties that follow when a murder is proven in court. As the sentencing proceeds, observers will be closely watching for how the court balances the defendant’s conduct, the nature of the injuries sustained by the victim, and any mitigating circumstances presented by defense counsel.
