Man jailed for life for murdering Rugby nurse

[dutchman]

A 45-year old man has been sentenced to life in prison for stabbing to death his estranged wife in Rugby.



High on drugs, Damian Fincher from Highgate in Birmingham went to Gabi Chapman’s house on Winfield Street last July, after hearing she was seeing another man.

He knifed her multiple times and the 42-year old died as she got to hospital.

Fincher also needed surgery for a stomach wound.

The judge at Birmingham Crown Court told him he would spend a minimum of 25 years behind bars.
Speaking after the sentencing Chief Inspector James Essex, said:
“He clearly travelled to Rugby with one intention in mind and that was to cause Gabi serious harm.
“He brutally attacked Gabi causing fatal injuries. It is with thanks to the prompt actions of a number of local Rugby residents that the emergency services were alerted and Police detained Fincher at the scene of the offence.
“I hope that Gabi’s family can take some comfort from the guilty verdict and today’s sentence. I know that Gabi’s death has left them and many other friends and colleagues devastated.

“Warwickshire Police were not aware of the domestic situation between the couple until this incident occurred.

“Domestic related violence in Warwickshire, a major cause of harm has been massively reduced in recent years as a result of effective police and partnership action.

“I would urge any person who is a victim of domestic violence or someone close to you who is being affected by domestic abuse, please don’t ignore it, report it. You can call your local Police Station or in an emergency dial 999.”

In a statement Gabi’s parents Roy and Anne Billingsley said:

“The loss of our daughter has left us devastated. Her natural exuberance touched the lives of all who met her. Unfortunately her inability to see bad in anyone led to her untimely death.

“However justice has decreed that he will spend the next years in prison and be unable to inflict the same devastation on any other family”.