Husband found guilty of murdering wife after retrial

Harry Turner was jailed last year for killing Sally Turner by stabbing her 68 times at a property in Cuthbert Avenue, in Durham, on June 22, 2022.

His previous sentence of life imprisonment with a minimum term of nearly 18 years was quashed by the Court of Appeal, which ordered an appeal based upon the technicalities of legal rulings within the first trial.

At Newcastle Crown Court on Thursday, a new jury found him guilty of murder for a second time and today he was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 17 years and 120 days.

After stabbing his wife, Turner changed out of his bloodstained clothing, washed in the bathroom and left the house on foot.

He was located by police officers a short distance away in a service road behind Iceland supermarket at Dragonville.

The 55-year-old was arrested by officers and taken into police custody where he was later charged with murder.

He always denied the charge but admitted manslaughter, claiming loss of control.

In a statement following the verdict, Sally’s family said: "The level of barbarity and callous actions inflicted upon Sally has robbed our children and grandchildren of their mother and grandmother and all their lives will be changed forever.

"The outcome is exactly what the family hoped for and today we have seen justice served.

"Sally’s family would like to thank Durham Police and the prosecution team for their swift response and hard work to bring this case to a close finally.

"We would also like to thank family liaison officer Detective Constable Helen Hudson who has gone above and beyond with the task of keeping the family informed and supported which was made difficult by the distances involved.

"All our lives have been affected by this and we will forever remember Sally.

"May she rest in peace.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ashton, from Durham Constabulary, led the investigation.

He said: “This was a horrific attack with an extreme level of violence.

“Harry Turner carried out a brutal attack on his own wife.

“Sally’s family have shown tremendous strength and dignity throughout the whole investigation and throughout the long delays caused by having to experience two trials.

“This is an extreme example of violence against women which Durham Constabulary are fully committed to combatting by working closely with other agencies and members of our communities.

“We encourage anyone concerned about domestic abuse or coercive and controlling behaviour to report the matter to the police or seek appropriate professional support.”

If you are suffering at the hands of an abuser, or are concerned for a victim, please come forward and speak to us.

Contact Durham Constabulary on 101, or dial 999 if you are in immediate danger.

If you don’t want to speak to the police, there are other helplines available:

• The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is available 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247.

• The local service, Harbour, is also available 24 hours a day on 03000 20 25 25.