Gran says killer Alan Bennett 'destroyed' their lives

The grandmother of three children who saw their father murder their mother in a ferocious attack outside their home said she was "destroyed" to hear they had witnessed the stabbing.

As Alan Bennett, 34, from Lingholme, Redcar, was sentenced for murdering first his partner Lynne Freeman, then his ex Jodie Betteridge victim impactstatements from the women's families were read out at Teesside Crown Court by Andrew Robertson QC, prosecuting.

Ms Griffiths, who has a son and another daughter, said the family were pleased when Jodie split up with Bennett as she would no longer be manipulated by him.

She said: "Jodie was so nice to everyone and she lived for her children asthey were the most important thing in her life."

Ms Freeman had three daughters and a son and was a grandmother.

Sarah Freeman said in her statement that her mother loved and trusted Bennett.

She said the family went to clear up her bungalow in the days after the murder and found blood stains in the house.

Kimberley Freeman said her mother "will live on in every person whose heart she touched".

Outside court, Detective Sergeant Peter Carr said the killings were a "traumatic and horrifying incident for all involved."