Barnsley man jailed for killing wife in 'brutal' machete attack
Neighbours witnessed the horrific attack
Last updated 2nd Oct 2020
A Barnsley man's been jailed for life for stabbing his wife to death in a "brutal and sustained" machete attack.
Back in March, horrified neighbours watched on as 31 year old Craig Woodhall chased his wife Victoria out of their house on Windsor Crescent, dragged her to the ground and stabbed her a number of times.
The violence was so extreme the 31 year old NHS worker ended up with skull fractures and injuries all over her upper body.
She was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
After admitting murder last month, today her husband Craig Woodhall has been jailed for life, with a minumum of 18 and a half years.
In a statement, Victoria's family said:
“No sentence the judge could have handed down today can bring Vicky back to her family, nor compensate for the terrible pain we are suffering.
“We would urge anyone who is suffering domestic violence, or who thinks someone they know may be, to tell someone about it.
“We hope this message might save even one other family from having to endure the nightmare we have endured following Vicky’s murder.”
The court heard the knife Craig Woodhall used was a Gurkha-style machete, which officers found at the scene.
Two children witnessed the attack from nearby.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Ben Wood said:
“I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Victoria’s family and friends, as they try to process the loss of their loved one.
“Woodhall is a dangerous, violent individual and I am pleased he has been handed a lengthy prison term for his crime."
"This was a horrific attack, I know this incident caused a significant deal of distress within the local community, especially among those residents who witnessed the murder. Those eyewitnesses have received support from our partners in Victim Care to process the traumatic impact of this crime.”