Torbjorn Kettlewell: Man stabbed mother-of-three to death in street after she left abusive relationship

Thirty-year-old murdered Kelly Franklin in jealous rage as she tried to 'rebuild her life'

Kelly Franklin was stabbed to death in the street by former partner Torbjorn Kettlewell (Cleveland Police)

A “controlling and abusive” ex-boyfriend who stabbed his former partner more than 30 times has been convicted of her murder.

Torbjorn Kettlewell, 30, killed Kelly Franklin in a jealous rage as she tried to move on from their relationship and win back custody of their children, Teesside Crown Court heard.

The couple’s children had been taken out of their care after Kettlewell accidentally shot one of them in the face with an air rifle.

Franklin, 29, later ended their 12-year relationship and was “determined to rebuild her life” before her ex-partner hunted her down and killed her near her home in Hartlepool last August.

Kettlewell’s lover, Julie Wass, helped him track down the victim on the day she was killed. She was cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter.

Following the stabbing, Wass, 48, who was Ms Franklin’s next-door neighbour, sped Kettleworth away to a woodland hideout before lying to police in an attempt to cover up her involvement.

CCTV images showed Franklin walking in the area before her murder, as Kettlewell sought her out in local shops and Wass waited nearby in her red Ford Focus.

Kettlewell had previously threatened to kill Franklin and the social worker he blamed for them losing care of their children.

Torbjorn Kettlewell killed his ex-girlfriend in a jealous rage (PA)

Kettlewell, who changed his name from Ian to Torbjorn after a character from the videogame Overwatch, was described by prosecutors as a narcissist who was obsessed with knives.

The court heard Franklin was trying to break free from his domineering behaviour, move on from their failed relationship, and win back custody of the children.

"Kettlewell plagued Kelly's life for 12 years in a controlling and abusive relationship, but she had finally escaped his grip and realised she didn't need someone like him in her life," her family said in a statement following the trial.

They added: "Devastatingly, her life was tragically cut short by that evil, vicious monster."

Kettlewell admitted stabbing her but claimed diminished responsibility due to his mental illness. However, two psychiatrists who gave evidence to the trial said his personality traits were not severe enough to give him that defence.

Julie Wass helped Kettlewell track down her neighbour before he stabbed her to death (PA)

Wass, a married nurse with four daughters, had a sexual affair with Kettlewell and would frequently take him shopping and give him lifts.

She was with him for much of the day of the murder, knew he was brooding about his ex-partner, and helped him to find her before driving him away from the scene, the court heard.

John Elvidge QC, defending Wass, said there was no evidence she knew of Kettlewell's plan to kill his ex-girlfriend or that he was armed with a knife.

But Franklin's family said: "She should hang her head in shame for the role she has played in this. Her actions have been downright disgusting, and totally heartless."

Mr Justice Jacobs will sentence both on Wednesday morning after hearing a statement from the victim's family.

Additional reporting by PA