Stephen Gallagher jailed for murdering 76-year-old father in 'intense' stabbing attack after row about internet
A man has been jailed for life after murdering his 76-year-old father in Cwmbran last year in an "intense" attack.
Stephen Gallagher stabbed his father, Thomas, more than a dozen times on September 10 after the pair had an argument over their broadband speed connection.
Gallagher called emergency services after the attack and admitted killing his father. He also pled guilty to the murder in court last year.
Gallagher was handed a life sentence, to serve a minimum of 13 years and four months, at Swansea Crown Court.
The 55-year-old attacked his father after a "trivial argument" about the speed of their home internet connection. Thomas then asked Stephen to leave the house.
Following the argument Gallagher found a knife, went into the room where his father was and took the phone from his father's hands. He then smashed the phone on the floor and stabbed Thomas.
Gallagher stabbed his father multiple times in the attack at the home they shared on Kidwelly Road.
As his elderly father pleaded for his life, Gallagher stabbed him again and told him "die", Swansea Crown Court heard.
After calling 999, Gallagher tried ringing his ex-partner but instead spoke to his 18-year-old son - telling him he had killed his grandfather.
Before the emergency services arrived, a postwoman went to the house and saw Gallagher acting calmly, smelling of aftershave, and giving no indication his father's body lay just feet away in the lounge.
Prosecutor Mark Wyeth QC said the attack was carried out with such "intensity" that Thomas Gallagher "was not able to defend himself and there was no evidence of defensive injuries".
Judge Paul Thomas QC said that Gallagher only had "one intention" when he went to get the knife.
He added that the family have been "left bereft" by what happened. Addressing Stephen Gallagher he said the 55-year-old had shown an "astonishing indifference" to what he had done.
Following the sentencing, the family said in a statement: "Losing Thomas has been a devastating tragedy. He was the beat of a big hearted family and he has left a hole in our lives that will never be repaired. All of our happy memories will be kept forever in our hearts.
"We accept the sentence that has been handed to Stephen Gallagher but this will never compensate for the immense loss.
"We would ask that our privacy is respected at this very difficult time."
Detective Superintendent Leanne Brustad, who led the investigation, said she hoped that the sentencing today will bring the family "some closure".