Pensioner sentenced to life for murdering 35-year-old North Tyneside man
Written by Ashley D Costa on 9th October 2024
A pensioner who stabbed a father-of-three to death in a row after a long dispute over parking has been jailed for murder, for at least 18 years.
On Monday, a judge at Newcastle Crown Court sentenced 68-year-old Alder Willis to life imprisonment with a minimum period, for the murder of 35-year-old North Tyneside man Andrew Darn.
A jury found Willis, also from North Tyneside, guilty of murder and possessing a bladed article, after he denied murder and claimed he acted in self-defence, because Mr Darn threw a punch at him as they argued.
But the court heard that CCTV showed Willis already had a knife hidden in his jacket pocket when the argument started.
Judge Paul Sloan KC said: “The moment he went for you, the knife was out and you were swinging it towards his chest, not just once but twice.
“You did that knowing you were stabbing an unarmed man.”
The court also heard that afterwards, not only did Willis not call 999, but he made a throat-slitting gesture towards his victim as Mr Darn sat bleeding to death.
The fatal confrontation happened on March 27 at the Tyne Tunnel Trading Estate, where emergency services tried in vain to save Mr Darn’s life. He died at the scene.
Willis, who fled home, turned himself in at Middle Engine Lane police station an hour later – taking with him the knife he used to stab Mr Darn.
An investigation by Northumbria Police revealed that the two men worked in neighbouring premises and had a long-standing dispute over parking.
A row the previous day led to Willis threatening to kill Mr Darn, and then following him as he drove home. Willis returned to work the next day with the knife in his pocket and stabbed his victim after another row led to Mr Darn throwing a punch.
The court heard that Willis fled to his home, and told his wife “I’ll see you in 15 years”, before turning himself in.
After a two-week trial, he was found guilty and Judge Sloan sentenced him to life in prison, with a minimum term of 18 years. Mr Darn’s family members and loved ones were present in court for the sentencing.
Afterwards, senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Katie Smith said: “Our thoughts firmly remain with Andrew’s loved ones as they continue to process their loss.
“In this case, a trivial dispute had fatal consequences – something which should never have happened.
“There is no excuse for carrying a weapon: as demonstrated here, it can have catastrophic consequences that shatter whole families.”