Man jailed for minimum of 35 years for murder of one man and attempted murder of another in Spalding
Wayne Rule has been given two life sentences
Last updated 17th Mar 2023
A man's been jailed for a minimum of 35 years for the murder of one man and the attempted murder of another in Spalding.
It happened back in December 2021.
Lincoln Crown Court heard how 46 year-old Wayne Rule from Cygnet Court had taken a knife and repeatedly stabbed 52 year-old Darren Kirk in his home also in Cygnet Court.
Darren was pronounced dead just 45 minutes later despite the best efforts of the emergency services.
Evidence revealed less than an hour before this, Rule had set out to kill another man in his 40's stabbing him 12 times at an address just over half a mile away.
He later barricaded himself in his flat leading to a six hour standoff with officers, following a negotiation with officers he surrendered.
Rule pleaded guilty to murder of Darren Kirk and attempted the murder back in January and was today given two life sentences.
He was given life imprisonment for the murder of Mr Kirk with a minimum tariff of 35 years imprisonment, and a second life sentence with a minimum tariff of 14 years for the attempted murder of Mr Stone, to run concurrently with the murder sentence.
A statement from Darren’s daughter, Alana Kirk, was read out in court:
In it, she said that her life felt like it was on hold since he was killed. It read:
“I have been waiting for answers and it has consumed everything. Now it is coming to a close I am finding it slightly easier but I struggle to talk about it. Nothing can ever bring back my Dad or the relationship we had.
“Although he had not always been in my life, the six months to a year prior to his death we had connected again properly. Now he has been killed I will no longer have the opportunity to keep strengthening my relationship with my Dad. I want Wayne Rule to understand what he has done and that being a criminal – taking drugs and doing what he did – can only lead to ruin. He didn't just ruin my Dad Darren's life. It was ours and his own life. His actions had consequences for so many people.”
Detective Chief Inspector Andy McWatt from Lincolnshire Police led the investigation through the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU). He said:
"These were premeditated attacks, and it is clear that Wayne Rule fully intended to kill his first victim; it is sheer luck that he survived, and we’re thankful he did. It is desperately sad that Darren did not.
“His violent actions have had a profound effect on the victim left alive, and he lives with the physical and emotional consequences of that every day. Darren’s family and loved ones have also suffered a loss that can’t be replaced. While nothing can bring him back we hope that the hard work which has gone in to securing a conviction for his killer, and his sentence today, will go some way to offering them the opportunity to move forward with their lives.
“I am very grateful to the whole team involved in this investigation for their hard work and dedication in bringing this violent offender to justice. His sentence today reflects the severity of his crimes, and I am glad he will not be part of society any time in the near or distant future.”