Michael Ormandy, 34, was found guilty of murdering his girlfriend, Rebekah Campbell, 32, following a two-week trial at Liverpool Crown Court today. During court proceedings, Ormandy verbally confronted Ms. Campbell's family and friends after being called a "maggot." He shouted, "do something," and later, after the verdict, made further aggressive remarks.
Key Takeaways
- Michael Ormandy convicted of Rebekah Campbell's murder.
- Ms. Campbell died from 27 stab and slash wounds.
- Ormandy claimed self-defense but suffered minor injury.
- He made threats and aggressive remarks in court.
- The couple had a history of domestic disputes.
Verdict and Courtroom Incident
A jury unanimously found Michael Ormandy guilty of murder after two hours and 16 minutes of deliberation. Cheers erupted from Ms. Campbell's loved ones when the verdict was announced. Ormandy, however, reacted with defiance. He smiled, clapped in the dock, and then shouted to the public gallery, "Come on, cloud nine. I know where yous all live you daft c***s."
Earlier in the trial, as Ormandy was being led from the dock after giving his evidence, a member of Ms. Campbell's family reportedly called him a "maggot." Ormandy turned towards the public gallery and responded with words including "do something." It remains unclear if the jury witnessed this exchange.
The Honorary Recorder of Liverpool, Judge Andrew Menary KC, warned Ormandy that he would be removed from the courtroom if he did not remain silent. Ormandy replied, "I’ll go out. It doesn't bother me." Ms. Campbell's loved ones were heard saying "bye bye" as he left the dock, still clapping.
Victim's Injuries
- Rebekah Campbell sustained a total of 27 incised wounds.
- These included 18 stab wounds and 9 slash wounds.
- Injuries were concentrated on the left side of her body.
- Pathologist confirmed use of severe force.
- Defense injuries were found on her left arm.
The Fatal Attack
Rebekah Campbell was stabbed to death inside her flat at Knowsley Heights in Huyton in April of this year. She suffered extensive injuries, including 18 stab wounds and nine slashes. Prosecutors stated that Ormandy attacked her after bursting into her home. Ms. Campbell was heard pleading, "get out, go away Mick," by a friend she was speaking with on the phone.
After the attack, Ms. Campbell managed to exit her apartment, shouting "I've been stabbed." She collapsed outside the building. Neighbors rushed to her aid, and she told them, "My fella stabbed me." While being transported to Aintree Hospital, she asked emergency workers, "am I gonna die?" Despite reassurance from a police officer, she was pronounced dead in the early hours of April 16.
Background to the Relationship
The court heard that the relationship between Ormandy and Ms. Campbell was troubled. Ms. Campbell was reportedly ready to end it. Just three days before the murder, Ormandy had punched her during a night out, leaving her with a black eye. This incident occurred at the Beer Engine on Hardman Street, following an earlier altercation at Revolver bar on Mathew Street.
Ormandy's Claims and Behavior
Ormandy, a self-confessed drug dealer and former boxer/cage fighter, claimed he acted in self-defense. He suffered only a single cut to his hand, requiring minor treatment. He told police after his arrest that Ms. Campbell "must have stabbed herself." This contradicted the findings of a Home Office post-mortem examination, which confirmed 27 wounds, including defensive injuries.
In his evidence, Ormandy described an argument at Ms. Campbell's flat where he threatened to go back to another woman he had been with. He stated that Ms. Campbell then "lunged at me" with a knife. He claimed they both scrambled for the weapon. "I was fighting for my life," he told the court. He also said he did not realize he was stabbing her, believing he was only punching her.
Ormandy carries a tattoo of the words "The Hitman" across his neck. Hours before the fatal stabbing, he had sex with another woman at the Prince of Wales Hotel in Southport. He told this witness he was "going to Liverpool to sort something out" before leaving for the evening.
Threats to Police
Within two hours of the stabbing, Ormandy called the police. He made a series of alarming threats. He stated, "The police are at my flat now. If they touch my dogs, I'm going to start killing police officers, one by one. I'm going to start shooting if anything happens to my dogs. My dogs are my babies."
He continued with these threats, saying, "I promise on my kid’s life. I've got a suicide vest and I'll blow everyone up. I've got nothing to lose now. Yous couldn't do your f***ing job, now look what happens. I'm the bad guy because of the world we live in. It's a f***ing joke."
Ormandy repeated his threats to detonate an explosive device: "I'm gonna blow myself up. I'm gonna blow everyone up if anyone goes near my f***ing dogs. I've got a suicide vest on. I'm going to kill everyone. I promise, I will kill yous all. My dogs are my babies. I will kill for them."
He was later arrested by armed officers on a canal towpath. His mobile phone was recovered from the water, where he had reportedly tried to discard it. Upon arrest, he remarked, "this wouldn’t have happened if you did your job last week."
Sentencing Scheduled
Michael Ormandy, of Linacre Road in Litherland, will be sentenced tomorrow morning, Thursday. Judge Menary noted that Ormandy's own evidence indicated he habitually carried knives, which is a significant aggravating factor in the case. The judge's provisional view was that Rebekah Campbell never had a knife in her hand during the incident.
The tragic death of Rebekah Campbell highlights the severe consequences of domestic violence. Her family and friends witnessed the culmination of a violent relationship in court today.