Bright: life sentence for killing popular young mother

GUILTY: Andre Bright was handed a life sentence and must serve at least 17 years

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FAMILY members of murdered Victoria Adams have spoken of their “soul-crushing despair” after Andre Bright was jailed for life on Friday.

Bright (30) stabbed Victoria in the chest and abdomen at her house in Springwood Hall Close, Fitton Hilin December 2013 while their four-month-old daughter slept upstairs.

Victoria’s dad Kevin said: “We see no future that is not eclipsed by the soul-crushing despair of the senseless act that took Victoria.”

Bright will serve a minimum of 17 years before he is eligible for parole. He showed no emotion as the verdict was read out at Manchster Crown Court while members of Victoria’s family and friends screamed with joy and relief.

Judge Justice Susan Carr said: “So many people loved her and have had their hearts broken.”

Bright history of violence began with convictions for stabbing two men in a bar in 2001. He later kicked and punched a pregnant partner in 2007 and shot a man in the eye with an air gun in the same year.

Victoria told friends two days before the killing she feared Bright was going to kill her.

Bright was Tasered after police arrived to find the mum-of-one fighting for her life at the bottom of the stairs.”

Victoria’s best friend Kerry Brennan told the jury the mum-of-one took £1,500 from unemployed Bright as his contribution to raise their daughter. Bright said he didn’t realise this until after his arrest.

The court heard how Bright was sleeping with several different women, and had been mentally unstable in the run up to the attack.

He claimed he was holding the knife and running around the house when he and Victoria ran into each other at the bottom of the stairs. Pathologist Dr Charles Wilson told the court: “common sense would say this wouldn’t happen twice”.

Bright was also found guilty of stabbing bouncer Matthew Wilkinson in the face with an Afro comb - hours before the murder - outside Bar101 in Yorkshire Street, Oldham after being refused entry.

Sentencing Bright, Judge Carr said: “It’s clear you had a propensity for violence, and this was sheer violence. I’m quite satisfied you intended to kill Victoria Adams when you stabbed her deeply, not once, but twice, with a sharp knife.0

“The list of your previous convictions is shocking. You have a very serious history of violent offending.”