The killer shouted “Burn in hell” to his co-defendants as they were sentenced to nearly 50 years in prison

A man and a woman have been sentenced to a total of at least 48 years in prison for the “brutal and senseless” murder of a beloved grandfather. Lauren Harris stabbed the man she called her “sugar daddy,” David Mark Wilcox, in the stomach before David Webster hit him on the head with a vodka bottle, causing serious injuries.

Both then kicked their 65-year-old victim as he bravely tried to defend himself before losing consciousness and dying. A judge at Mold Crown Court heard that Harris, 29, had played a leading role while Webster, 43, was a “willing accomplice”.

As they were led from the dock to the cells, Webster screamed, “F***ing psychopathic bitch” and “I hope you f***ing bitch, Lauren, burn in hell.” The judge sentenced them both to life in prison for the murder of retired IT worker Wilcox. Harris was given a minimum term of 25 years before she can be released on parole.

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Webster must serve 23 years of his sentence before reaching that stage. Another man, Thomas Whiteley, also 43, was acquitted of murder after a trial last week.

Sentencing today, Judge Edward Pepperall said Harris and Webster arrived at Mr Wilcox's home on November 19. Harris and Webster had been drinking and taking drugs. He said Harris was so desperate to get cash that she went out braving the pouring rain and then tried unsuccessfully eight times to withdraw cash between £20 and £50 from two cash machines using Mr Wilcox's PIN.

When she returned to Mr Wilcox's home in Bay View Road, Colwyn Bay, the situation deteriorated and violence broke out. Eighteen minutes after she arrived, she and the other two defendants got into Mr Wilcox's Volvo outside the property after a horn repeatedly sounded and a voice said: “Hurry up, I'm leaving.”

Harris was later seen on surveillance camera confessing to stabbing her victim. Those confessions were neither coerced nor coerced by Webster, the judge said today.

Harris, who did not have a driving licence, drove off with the other two men before crashing the car near the A55. The judge said he accepted there was no evidence Harris or Webster had intended to kill. It was not premeditated murder.

But it was a “brutal and senseless” murder. Harris, originally from Llandudno, showed no emotion at the sentencing, but Webster, 43, of Lacey Street in Widnes, bowed his head in the dock before his outburst of anger.

A third man, Thomas Whiteley, 33, of Clos Emlyn, Old Colwyn, was acquitted of murder.

In moving statements, relatives and his ex-wife said Mr Wilcox was funny, kind and caring. His death had damaged their mental health and led to the loss of their own jobs. He is deeply mourned.

The family had previously said that Mr Wilcox “truly cared about people. He enjoyed chatting with everyone and always put others before himself. He was a kind soul who was extremely generous.”

“Mark also cared deeply for his family. He often travelled to Cornwall with his sisters to care for his elderly mother.”

North Wales Police lead investigator, Superintendent Sarah-Jayne Williams, said: “This was a brutal and senseless murder of a beloved father, husband, son, brother and grandfather, whose life was taken in such unnecessary circumstances.”

“His family is deeply saddened by their loss and I realise that no sentence will bring him back to them. However, I hope that today's sentence will bring a sense of peace.

“They have shown tremendous courage and dignity throughout this complex and lengthy investigation and my thoughts are with them today. Harris and Webster murdered Mark in cold blood in a sustained attack in his own home where he should have been safe.

“They took his belongings, including his car, which Harris then wrecked. They prolonged his family's suffering by refusing to admit their involvement in Mark's killing and showing no remorse for their actions.”

“I hope this long prison sentence gives both of them some time to reflect on their actions.”

Mr Wilcox's family added: “Mark loved us all and we loved him. We have lost our loving, funny, kind and compassionate brother, son, husband, uncle, father, grandfather, mentor and friend.

“Mark was a kind, caring and generous man who made us smile and laugh and who always had a kind word for everyone he met and knew.

“As a family, we are devastated. Mark's grandchildren will grow up without their loving grandfather. Mark's death leaves a void that feels irreparable. Things will never be the same again.”

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