Chef's killer jailed for at least 23 years

A 22-year-old man who knifed a French chef outside a classical music concert was jailed for a minimum of 23 years today after being convicted of murder.

Prosecutors said unemployed Karl Wills launched a “brutal and wholly unnecessary attack” on 37-year-old Reynald Duchene in Southend, Essex, in June.

Last month Chelmsford Crown Court heard that Mr Duchene, 37, of South Woodham Ferrers, Essex, was stabbed in the heart after leaving the open-air concert, featuring the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, with fiancee Paula Haddlesey.

Jurors were told that Mr Duchene stepped in after Wills and another man “pestered” Ms Haddlesey and two of her friends as they crossed a road.

Wills, of Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, denied murder and said he had brandished the knife as a warning after being chased – not intending to kill or cause serious injury.

But a jury took three hours to find Wills, who had previous convictions for possessing a knife in public, guilty following a trial.

Ms Haddlesey and members of Mr Duchene’s family, who come from Lille, cried as the guilty verdict was returned.

Judge Charles Gratwicke imposed a mandatory life term and said Wills must serve 23 years before being considered for parole.

He had adjourned sentencing until today so that background reports could be prepared.