Man jailed for life for stabbing St Annes' businessman to death

A man has been jailed for life for stabbing a St Annes businessman to death with a meat cleaver in a drug fuelled attack.

Published 18th Jul 2016

A man has been jailed for life for stabbing a St Annes businessman to death with a meat cleaver in a drug fuelled attack.

49-year old Robert Kay of no fixed address has been found guilty of murdering Ian Dollery in his garage by a jury at Preston Crown Court.

He'll serve a minimum of 23 years.

Detectives launched an investigation after Mr Dollery was stabbed more than 30 times in his head, chest and stomach with a meat cleaver at his home on York Road in June last year.

WATCH: Rock FM reporter Amy Scarisbrick was at Preston Crown court for the sentencing.

He was taken by ambulance to Blackpool Victoria Hospital where he was sadly pronounced deceased.

A post mortem examination showed the cause of death was multiple stab wounds.

Robert Kay was arrested near to the scene and subsequently charged with his murder.

He had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility but following a trial a jury found him guilty of murder.

DCI Jonathan Holmes of the Force Major Investigation Team said: “This is a tragic case in which Ian Dollery was murdered in a random and senseless attack.

“He was cruelly taken away from his family by Robert Kay, a man who he did not know and had never met.

“Kay has now been brought to justice for his actions but I am aware that it will not bring Mr Dollery back and nothing will ever compensate his family for their loss. My thoughts, and those of the officers who worked on this case, remain with them at this time.”