A man was arrested on a charge of murder after being accused of stabbing his secret lover because she demanded that he leave his wife, according to police in the United Kingdom.
Now, 49-year-old Stuart Thomas of Blandford, has been found guilty of murder in connection with the fatal stabbing of 44-year-old Katrina O’Hara.
According to the criminal complaint, Thomas was married and had led O’Hara to believe that he and his wife were separated.
O’Hara had been very clear in stating that she did not want an affair. When she realized that his marriage was far from over, she decided to end the relationship.
Thomas became spiteful and abusive towards her. He frightened her on several occasions by breaking into her house.
He threatened to kill her and take his own life.
He sent hundreds of text messages, posted abusive messages on Facebook and pleaded for her to take him back, vowing that he would move out and finally end his marriage.
Following a spate of frightening incidents, O’Hara finally broke off their relationship and called the police. Thomas was arrested on a charge of harassment.
He was released on bail with a condition not to contact O’Hara.
Despite knowing that he should not get in touch with O’Hara, Thomas went to her place of work with a large kitchen knife and the clear intention to attack and seriously harm her.
O’Hara went outside the front of the barber shop for a cigarette as the shop was closing. Thomas had been waiting for her out of sight by her car and he approached her, grabbing her arm from behind.
O’Hara knew that she was in danger and ran into the shop to escape her attacker. Thomas chased after her and she died after he stabbed her twice in the chest.
He then fled the scene and was found by the police a short distance away. He had cut his left wrist using the same knife he had used to murder O’Hara.