Man jailed for life for murdering man in Harrogate
It happened on on Mayfield Grove in March 2020.
Last updated 24th Nov 2021
A man's been jailed for life for the murder of a man in Harrogate.
48 year-old Mark Wolsey died on the night of 5th March 2020 on Mayfield Grove - after being stabbed several times.
24 year-old Daniel Liam Ainsley was found guilty of his murder in October
Ainsley, of no fixed address but who was staying in Mayfield Grove at the time, had admitted manslaughter, but had denied murder on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
But he was found guilty after a trial at Leeds Crown Court - and was sentenced to a minimum of 22 years.
On the night of the murder, Ainsley had been taken to hospital by the police to obtain more medication as he claimed that Mark had taken his.
The court heard how Ainsley then went straight from the hospital to an Asda supermarket and purchased a set of kitchen knives. He took out the knife that he murdered Mark with, and discarded the remainder in the street near the store.
He then returned to the bedsit where he stabbed Mark a number of times, leaving the knife in his chest. Mark also suffered a number of superficial wounds, indicative of self-defence. In total he suffered 37 wounds during the attack.
Ainsley admitted what he had done from the outset when he called the emergency services shortly after killing Mark.
He had a history of alcohol and substance abuse and had a complex psychiatric history. He denied Mark’s murder on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
However, a psychiatrist told the court that his actions were consistent with a premeditated homicide and concealing the weapon in his trousers entailed an understanding that it was wrong.
Speaking after sentencing, Detective Superintendent Fran Naughton, Head of Crime at North Yorkshire Police, said: “I am pleased with today's sentence and that the court previously agreed with the prosecution that this was clearly a case of murder, and nothing less.
“My thoughts remain with Mark’s mother, children and his wider family who have had to sit through the trial and listen to the horrific details of his death. Nothing can bring Mark back, but I hope that his loved ones can take some comfort in the knowledge that justice has now been done.”