Jealous Husband Jailed for Life After Stabbing Estranged Wife to Death
In a chilling case of domestic violence, businessman Gavin Shaw, 61, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his estranged wife, Michele Kennedy, 55. The court heard how Shaw stabbed his wife of twelve years twice in the stomach with a kitchen knife after discovering she had spent a weekend with a new lover she met on holiday in Turkey.
A Callous Attack Captured on Camera
Ring doorbell footage captured the moment Shaw let himself into the couple's former marital home on Manchester Road in Warrington, Cheshire. Less than three minutes later, Ms Kennedy staggered out, bleeding heavily from her injuries. She collapsed on the pavement outside, where relatives and passers-by desperately tried to save her life.
Shockingly, as these efforts were underway, Shaw simply lit a cigarette and sat down in the garden, showing complete indifference to his wife's plight. When police arrived and handcuffed him, he appeared unfazed, telling an officer: 'That's what you get when she's s*****g someone.'
Remorseless Questions and a Fatal Outcome
The court was told that Shaw later asked police officers: 'How many years do you think I'll get? 10?' before adding, 'I don't do things by halves. Will I get fed tonight?' His callous demeanor continued even after the attack. Ms Kennedy, despite the efforts of emergency services, succumbed to her injuries five days later in hospital.
Judge Brian Cummings KC, presiding at Liverpool Crown Court, told Shaw that his actions were motivated by jealousy and resentment at his wife moving on with another man. The judge stated: 'You entered her house, not with the intention of a friendly chat, but enflamed by jealousy and resentment, wanting at the very least to shout abuse at her. Approaching her that way was never likely to end well.'
A Volatile Relationship and a New Beginning Cut Short
The court heard that Shaw and Ms Kennedy had been married for twelve years but had a toxic and volatile relationship, often arguing over Shaw's heavy drinking. They separated in the summer of 2025. In the weeks before the murder, Ms Kennedy had developed 'a new lease of life', according to prosecutors.
She had booked a holiday to Marmaris with her mother, where she met and fell in love with another British tourist, Gordon Riddick. Upon their return, the pair were 'inseparable' and had spent the weekend together before the fatal attack. Shaw discovered the romance and, on the day of the murder, sent abusive text messages to Ms Kennedy's family, calling her derogatory names.
The Fatal Minutes and Aftermath
On October 12, 2025, after drinking several pints with his son, Shaw went to the cash point and then to the former marital home. Inquiries revealed that Ms Kennedy had been sending heart emoji texts to Mr Riddick just 42 seconds before Shaw arrived.
Prosecutor Andrew Ford KC stated: 'It is the prosecution's case that, while inside for those three minutes, Gavin Shaw murdered Michele Kennedy by stabbing her in the chest twice with a kitchen knife.' The knife was taken from a set in the kitchen, a gift from Ms Kennedy's mother.
After the stabbing, Shaw went to his son's nearby house and told his daughter-in-law, Hayley Higgins: 'I've stabbed Michele. You need to go and help her.' Ms Higgins rushed to the scene, held Ms Kennedy's hand, and tried to comfort her. Although pale and drifting in and out of consciousness, Ms Kennedy managed to say: 'He stabbed me.'
Sentencing and Family Impact
Shaw was arrested and later claimed in a prepared statement that he was 'devastated' and did not intend to kill his wife, stating it was a reaction 'in the heat of the moment'. However, Judge Cummings rejected any suggestion of genuine remorse, noting Shaw had tried to pass the blame onto his victim and displayed a callous and indifferent presentation throughout.
Today, Shaw was jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 15 years before being eligible for parole. Following the sentencing, Ms Kennedy's mother, Patricia Lawton, said her daughter was 'turning her life around' after 'so many struggles'. She added: 'The death of Michele has broken my heart... She wanted to be free - but she wasn't.'
Detective Inspector Eleanor Atkinson of Cheshire Police commented: 'This was an exceptionally traumatic incident for all those involved... While nothing can ever be done to bring her back, I do hope that the conclusion of this case will bring her family some closure.'
