Norton Fitzwarren murderer has sentence reduced on appeal

Collin Reeves attacked his neighbours Stephen and Jennifer Chapple while their children slept

The attack on the Chapples was so fast they were found with no defence wounds
Author: James DiamondPublished 21st Mar 2023

A former soldier who stabbed his neighbours to death after a long running dispute over parking has had his jail term reduced on appeal.

Afghanistan veteran Collin Reeves attacked Stephen and Jennifer Chapple in their own home in Norton Fitzwarren near Taunton, back in November 2021.

Following a trial at Bristol Crown Court he was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 38 years, but that has now been reduced to 35 years after three appeal judges in London ruled the original sentence was "excessive".

The trial

During his trial, 35-year-old Reeves claimed the killings - which occurred while the Chapples' children were asleep upstairs - were manslaughter by diminished responsibility, arguing he was suffering with serious mental health problems at the time.

The jury has heard that he had been having trouble in his own marriage, and around 40 minutes before the attack his wife, Kayley, had asked for a trial separation.

They also heard Mr Reeves' mental issues stemmed from his time in the army and that since being discharged he had had trouble socialising and sleeping.

However, two forensic psychiatrists gave evidence that whilst Mr Reeves was suffering with depression, his mental issues were not severe enough to mean he was not aware of what he was doing and he was found guilty of two counts of murder after five hours and 21 minutes of deliberations.

You can read more about the case via this link.

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