Resident,

A man who murdered his partner by repeatedly slamming her head on the floor after an argument on their first anniversary has been jailed for life.

Kain Tailby assaulted Christine Everett-Hickson, known as Chrissie, in the kitchen of the couple’s flat in Greenhill Lane, Riddings, after they returned home from a night out on 17 February 2024.

An argument took place between the pair and after what Tailby described as some “pushing and shoving”, he pinned Chrissie to the ground before grabbing her by the neck and hitting her head on the floor a number of times - with a neighbour describing how he heard several loud bangs before silence.

Shortly after, Tailby called 999 asking for police and the ambulance service. During the call he tried to downplay his actions, even attempting to paint Chrissie as the instigator of the “pushing and shoving”.

He told the operator that Chrissie was in the bath, bleeding from her ear and he had been trying to clean up the blood.

Chrissie was rushed to hospital where doctors discovered she had suffered a number of skull fractures and a traumatic brain injury which she would not survive. The 21-year-old died five days later.

Tailby was arrested at the scene and in interview told officers various stories about what had happened that night, and although, claiming to feel guilty and remorseful about what happened, he was never able to explain his intentions in assaulting Chrissie in the way that he did.

After being charged with murder, the 31-year-old, of Greenhill Lane, Riddings, admitted manslaughter but denied intentionally killing Chrissie. 

However, on Wednesday (26 March) he was found guilty of murder by a jury after a trial at Derby Crown Court.

He appeared at the same court today (28 March) for sentence when he was jailed for life. He must serve a minimum of 16 years and 329 days before he is eligible to be considered for release. 

Sentencing him, Judge Shaun Smith KC, said: "In just a few minutes in your flat, your explosion of anger and violence snuffed out the life of Chrissie.

"She was just 21 when she died five days later. She was described by her mum in her victim impact statement as "vibrant, funny, innocent, truly beautiful, compassionate, compelling. A young lady who had just begun to live.

"Your life and the lives of so many others, have been permanently changed forever by your violence. Why? Only you will truly know. Whatever the reason, it was no justification for the level of violence you used. The effect of your actions on those who knew and loved Chrissie has been, and will remain, immeasurable.

"Her life and smile were infectious, she was kind and considerate. That Chrissie's mum forgives you is beyond admirable. (But) I accept you are not an evil man."

Detective Constable Jonathan Reeves, who was part of the team that worked to bring Tailby to justice, said: “It’s impossible to put into words the utter devastation that Chrissie’s family have been experiencing since her death – all because of the actions of one man.

“Chrissie looked to Tailby to provide her with love and support but instead he so cruelly ended her life in a truly horrific way.

“At just 21, Chrissie had so much to look forward to in her life and it is an absolute tragedy that she’ll never get to achieve her dreams and celebrate further milestones.

“Tailby would have known that his behaviour on that night would only have had one outcome but he has never been able to explain why he did what he did.

“He will now be serving many years behind bars for this crime – while Chrissie’s family face a life sentence of grief.

“I’d like to thank them for all of their support throughout this investigation and commend their incredible bravery during these court proceedings.

“My thoughts and those of the wider team who have been involved in this investigation will continue to be with them for many years to come.”