Man's 'jealousy' drove him to murder ex-partner

A "jealous" man stabbed his ex-partner to death after she began another relationship because of "his inability to allow her to move on with her life", police said.

Gavin Shaw, 62, of Warrington, was sentenced to more than 14 years in prison after admitting the murder of 55-year-old Michele Kennedy on 13 October last year.

They had been in a long-term relationship, described as "volatile" by friends and family, which ended in August 2025, before Michele met another man.

Shaw drank five pints at a pub before he went to his ex-partner's home on Manchester Road and stabbed her twice in the chest before leaving, all within three minutes, Liverpool Crown Court heard.

Michele Kennedy had traveled to Turkey on holiday with her mother weeks before the murder.

She met a man there and started a new relationship which continued into the UK.

Police discovered text messages on Shaw's phone that established he knew about the new relationship, the court heard.

Shaw had been drinking at a local pub before leaving at about 16:00 GMT and going to attack his ex-partner.

After the stabbing, he went to his son's home nearby and confessed what had happened.

Michele managed to get out of the house before collapsing on the pavement. She was taken to Aintree Hospital by air ambulance but died five days later.

Passers by, who helped her, found the knife and told police the attacker was Shaw and he was arrested.

Shaw admitted he stabbed Michele, telling police "that's what you get" for sleeping with someone in Manchester.

He said he had stabbed her but had not set out to kill her.

Det Insp Eleanor Atkinson of Cheshire Police said the stabbing murder was "an exceptionally traumatic incident for all those involved."

"Through our investigation, it has become apparent that Shaw was troubled by Michele's new relationship in the hours before he killed her," she said.

"It is my belief that he acted out of jealousy and an inability to allow her to move on with her life."

In a tribute, Michele's family said she was a "larger-than-life character who would leave a lasting impression on all that met her, who would help anyone, was beautiful, strong, fearless and one-of-a-kind".

She was "a much-loved daughter, mother, sister, auntie and nana", they said

"We would like to offer our extended thanks to all the emergency services that attended the scene and any kind person that tried to help.

"We will miss her very much."

Shaw was jailed for life with a minimum sentence of 14 years and 196 days.

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