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A man has today, Thursday 15 May 2008, been jailed for life for murdering
a Wigan father-of-six.
James Halliday (born 03/07/78), of Grasmere Avenue, Higher Ince, Wigan,
punched, kicked and stabbed Darren Catherall on Christmas Day.
Halliday was convicted of murder by a jury at Manchester Crown Court Crown
Square and sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum tariff of 15
years.
Darren Catherall, 40 was found collapsed on Thorburn Road, Norley Hall at
about 7.15pm on 25 December 2007.
A passing motorist thought he had been the victim of a car crash and
Darren was taken to Wigan Royal Infirmary where he later died.
Darren who lived on Walter Street, Wigan, had been making the short
journey from his ex-girlfriend's house to his home when he was attacked by
Halliday.
Halliday had been a friend of Darren, but by Christmas Day, there had been
some animosity between the two men over Halliday's girlfriend.
A witness heard two men shouting at each other moments before Darren was
found bleeding to death.
Halliday punched Darren so he fell backwards and kicked him in the face.
Halliday then stabbed him twice in the thigh.
He died from a catastrophic loss of blood due to the stab wound that
severed the femoral artery.
Speaking after the case, Detective Sergeant Derek Houston, of the Major
Incident team, said: "Darren's life was tragically cut short and his death
has left his family devastated.
"Halliday lied during his interviews and claimed he had seen Darren fall
in the street and that he went to help him out. But the jury saw through
his lies and he will now have a long time in prison to reflect on what he
did that Christmas night." |
