In a case that has sent shivers through the community, a devoted grandmother's haunting final words to her family—"I'm ready to go now"—came just hours before she was subjected to a savage knife attack in her own Birmingham home.
Valerie Graves, 78, was found by her own daughter with horrific injuries after Shaun Murphy, 45, broke into her property on Wensley Road. The vicious assault left the beloved nan fighting for her life in hospital.
A Life Shattered in a Moment of Violence
Birmingham Crown Court heard the harrowing details of the break-in that turned a family's world upside down. Murphy, of no fixed address, forced his way into Mrs. Graves' home before launching his frenzied attack.
Her daughter, arriving at the scene, made the gut-wrenching discovery of her mother lying injured and alone. The physical and psychological scars from that day continue to affect the entire family.
Justice Served as Attacker Is Sentenced
Murphy pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and was sentenced to 12 years in prison. While the family acknowledges that justice has been served, they emphasize that no sentence can truly compensate for the trauma inflicted.
This brutal case highlights ongoing concerns about violent crime and the vulnerability of elderly people in their own homes. The family now hopes that by sharing their story, they can help prevent similar tragedies from devastating other families.
