A TEENAGER has been locked up for a minimum of 15 years for murdering Michael Lee Emmett in Blackwood.

Connor Doughton, 16, of Apollo Way, admitted murdering Mr Emmett on August 1 last year.

The defendant was also sentenced for two counts of wounding with intent, assault on a police officer and breaching an anti-social behaviour order.

Mr Emmett died a month after being stabbed by Doughton on Apollo Way in Blackwood after he and a second man, John Williams, 44, tried to take him home from the Stone House pub after he became "abusive and aggressive" to a female while on drugs.

Doughton ran inside his home to fetch a kitchen knife before coming back onto the street to stab Mr Emmett in the abdomen, chasing him and then turning his attention to Mr Williams, who he stabbed three times.

Mr Williams suffered back and elbow injuries and was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital.

An inquest held on September 24 heard that a post mortem examination revealed that Mr Emmett died of liver injuries.

  • 'If you were adult, you would be facing 25 years' jail;
  • You have robbed children of their father;
  • Neither man provoked stabbing;
  • You have shown limited remorse'.

READ JUDGE'S POWERFUL STATEMENT

His partner, Natalie Preece, gave birth to Mr Emmett's third child, a daughter called Lola, just a week before he died.

Mrs Justice Nicola Davies DBE said at Cardiff Crown Court today: "Neither victim did anything to provoke the stabbing, they were doing what they could to take you to your home away from any trouble, realising you were in an aggressive frame of mind.

"In taking the life of Michael Emmett you have robbed twin boys aged eight of their father. Lola, his daughter, born when her father was critically ill in Kings College Hospital, will never know him.

"Michael was excited about his daughter's birth and looking forward to this special event. Natalie Preece lost not only her much loved partner and the father of her children, she lost of a source of strength and support within this close family."

The victims's partner Natalie Preece said: "I don't think it's enough. Life should be life."

She said It was "nerve wracking" seeing the defendant in court. She said: "the smug grin he gave was just awful, no remorse at all."

"My sons are still pretty frightened but now they know he's locked up."

Mr Emmett's sister told of the family's heartbreak. Kayley Emmett, sister of Michael Lee, said: "It's not enough. Knowing what he did, it's not good enough.

"My father's heartbroken. I'm feeling angry.

"Michael Lee was brilliant. We'd like him to be remembered as mad. He was brilliant with the kids.

"Christmas was awful. For me, he looked after me all my life."

Miss Preece said in a victim impact statement: "Since Connor chose to take my soul mate's and my children's father our lives have been devastated in every single way.

"Mike suffered for four weeks, he was in pain, suffering for 24 hours a day for the full 28 days he survived.

"My boys are just eight years old and they've been put through hell.

"They understand that their father was hurt and I'll and someone has done this to him and when they did it broke their hearts.

"How can eight year olds go through so much trauma?

"At eight years old my boys have learnt there is evil in the world and evil has taken their daddy away."

The defendant was also jailed for two years for wounding Mr Williams, which will run concurrently.

Mrs Justice Davies said the defendant will be on licence after his release for the rest of his life.

The Argus successfully appealed against an order to stop the media naming Doughton.

Detective Inspector Nicky Brain of Gwent Police said: "This was a tragic incident that took Michael Lee Emmett's life and changed the lives of his family and loved ones forever, our thoughts remain with them at this time.

“A second man also sustained serious injuries after being attacked by Connor, and is having to cope with the significant impact of these daily.

“The sentence given today reflects the seriousness of the crime, and I hope that it provides all of those involved, and affected by this act of violence, with a degree of closure to help them move on with their lives.”