A murderer will spend his life behind bars after stabbing a former lover with a weapon ‘like a sword’ in the middle of a street.
Justice Cruickshank will serve a minimum of 22 years behind bars after being sentenced to life imprisonment today following a two-week trial at Isleworth Crown Court.
The 55-year-old, of Mandarin Court, Neasden, murdered a woman he had had a one-off, alcohol and drug-fuelled relationship with named Helen Dillon in May.
Police were called at 7.30pm to Prout Grove where they found the 42-year-old woman stabbed in the chest. She was taken to St Mary’s Hospital but died shortly after arriving.
The attack happened after Helen met both Cruickshank and her estranged partner, with an argument escalated, leading to an altercation in the street.
Eye witnesses told police that they saw a black man with a knife which various people described as ‘huge’ and ‘like a sword’.
The man was later identified as Cruickshank and was arrested at a nearby address.
The murder weapon has never been recovered despite police searches.
Detective Inspector Euan McKeeve, the investigating officer from the homicide and major crime command unit, said: “This was a horrific attack on Miss Dillon in full view of the general public.
“Cruickshank showed a total disregard for human life and executed Miss Dillon in broad daylight.
“I’d like to thank the local community in and around Prout Grove for coming together and providing key witness evidence to help secure today’s conviction.
“There can be no excuse for Cruickshank’s behaviour and hopefully he’ll now spend the rest of his life incarcerated and reflecting upon his actions on that night.”
Throughout interviews with police, Cruickshank answered ‘no comment’ to all questions put to him.
