Life sentence for Theresa's 'flippant' killer

Apr 5 2005 By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

In the aftermath of the stabbing Walton sent various texts messages, including one to Mrs Simpson's mobile phone which read: "I hope you are dead you bitch ...ha..ha..ha."

He also contacted another former girlfriend and told her that he had stabbed Mrs Simpson in the chest.

In a text message to the ex-partner he said: "I always told you I was crazy and I'd go insane some day."

During a phone call to the same woman, he admitted stabbing Mrs Simpson "straight through the heart" and said she deserved it.

Later that same morning Walton, who was still carrying the murder weapon, confronted David Farrier at Huddersfield bus station and after a brief exchange he slashed him across the left cheek with the knife causing a permanent scar.

Walton fled again, but was later spotted by a couple who had heard about the fatal stabbing.

He got on to a bus, but was followed by car and after the police were contacted he was finally arrested at a telephone box in Marsden.

Mr Campbell said Walton was "flippant" despite the presence of armed officers and after being handcuffed he said: "I'm glad she's dead anyway."

Walton, who yesterday pleaded guilty to murdering Mrs Simpson and wounding Mr Farrier with intent to do him grievous bodily harm, claimed to be depressed and suffering from paranoia at the time of the killing.

Mr Campbell revealed details about Walton's previous violence towards other girlfriends who had ended relationships with him.

In November 1998, he was jailed for two-and-a-half years after he abducted a teenage girlfriend, held a knife to her throat and repeatedly punched her during a three-and- a-half hour ordeal.

After being released on bail following that incident he slashed her car tyres and sun-roof before assaulting her again.

In October 2002, Walton was made the subject of a community rehabilitation order for two years after he stole another former partner's keys and car and cut up her clothes and credit cards.