Drug user jailed over brutal murder of young mother at Worksop flat

A 68-year-old man who left a young mother with almost 200 separate injuries in Nottinghamshire has been jailed for life for her murder.

The body of Mckyla Taylor, 27, was found in the bedroom of a flat on Lowtown Street, Worksop, in the early hours of 16th August 2022.

She had been stabbed with screwdrivers and suffered 199 separate injuries to her head and body.

Drug user David Jackson arrived at the scene a few hours later asking if he could get a jumper from his flat, and casually mentioned to an officer that he had killed someone upstairs.

Jackson remained silent throughout police interviews but was charged with murder two days later.

At Nottingham Crown Court today Jackson was jailed for life with a minimum term of 17 years.

Mckyla and Jackson had been known to each other for some time and had met up during the day on 15th August.

Concerns were raised by Mckyla’s friends and family when she did not respond to calls and messages.

Police were alerted and attended Jackson’s flat at around 2am the following morning.

When officers forced entry to the flat, they found Mckyla’s body lying under a duvet on the floor. Weights and push bikes had been placed on the top of the duvet.

Forensic evidence showed most of her injuries had been inflicted inside the bedroom with two screwdrivers.

Detective Chief Inspector Clare Dean said: “Mckyla was a young woman who was loved and adored by her family and many friends.

“Her life was taken away from her in the most brutal fashion by David Jackson, who has shown very little remorse and would not give any account in interview.

“Detectives carried out a meticulous investigation, with many officers working around the clock to gather the evidence against him. He continued to deny murdering Mckyla until shortly before a trial was about to begin – inflicting further pain and anxiety on her loved ones.

“The attack Jackson inflicted on Mckyla was relentless, causing catastrophic injuries which ultimately led to her death.

“He has taken away a loving and caring mum, daughter, sister, and friend.

“Today’s sentence will not bring Mckyla back, but it does mean that Jackson will spend a considerable part of his life behind bars, and I hope this gives her family some comfort.”

Mckyla’s mum, Emma Sentence, 45, paid tribute to her daughter after Jackson was sentenced.

She said: "Mckyla wasn't just my daughter she was my best friend. She was always there for me and stood by me.

"Mckyla had a smile that would light up the room and a contagious laugh. She was just a fun-loving girl.

"I still remember the weekend she was killed as if it was yesterday. We had a lovely weekend sunbathing, listening to music and doing our nails and then she left and that was the last time I saw her."

Mckyla's brother, Callum Taylor, 26, will now be looking after her one-year-old daughter - in the same house that Mckyla grew up in.

"It is like a part of Mckyla is coming home," Callum said. "Mckyla had always wanted to be a mum and was so thrilled when she found out she was pregnant. I just want to do my best to bring up her daughter and give her a normal, loving life.

"Mckyla was a lovely and loving person. She always put other people first. If she was in a house fire Mckyla was the sort of person who would be the last out.

"We were really close growing up and went to the same primary school. I can remember the camping holidays we went on as a family which were so much fun.

"No sentence will ever be enough for what happened to Mckyla. I will never forget waking up that day and hearing she had been killed. I cannot understand why anyone would want to hurt someone that kind.

"I don't really feel like I have been through the grieving process yet. I've just wanted to stay strong for others.”

Mckyla's older sister, Nicole, 29, described her as the 'life and soul of the party'.

"She was born on my first birthday and Mckyla, me and Callum were really close growing up.

"She was always bubbly, always singing, always dancing.

"I remember going to our grandparents' house and we would sing and dance, stand on tables and have fun. They were the best times."