'Monster' jailed for murdering partner in 'ferocious and frenzied' rage at Leeds home
A Leeds man murdered his partner in a “ferocious and frenzied” drunken rage after she told him that she would leave him.
“Functioning alcoholic” John Bootland stabbed Colleen Westerman at least 17 times at the flat where they lived on Melville Gardens in Woodhouse on Thursday, November 6.
Ms Westerman, 62, tried to escape the flat during the “brutal attack” but Bootland dragged her back in and she died in the hallway. When police arrived after being called by a neighbour, he immediately admitted what he had done, saying: “I’ve killed her. I admit everything.”
He was issued with a life sentence with a minimum term of 15 years for the charge of murder at Leeds Crown Court this morning (Wednesday).
On the night of the incident, the court heard that Bootland, 57, had been for a job interview in Leeds city centre and afterwards went for drinks before getting the bus home.
A neighbour called the police at 9pm after hearing “banging noises” and a “thudding sound”. She later told police that that was “not unusual” as the couple argued almost daily.
The neighbour heard Ms Westerman tell Bootland on numerous occasions: “Stop. I can’t breath.”
Police arrived at 9.16pm and after opening the door, Bootland said: “I’ve killed her. I admit everything.”
Officers could see her in the doorway with a kitchen knife next to her and arrested Bootland. While in the car he asked: “Is she going to live?”
He added: “You’ve no idea what she’s done. We were supposed to die together.”
For the prosecution, Peter Makepeace KC said: “He followed her into the kitchen and just snapped.”
He pulled a knife out of the kitchen drawer and began stabbing her. Ms Westerman tried to escape through the front door and shouted for help but Bootland pulled her back.
Bootland said he was drunk at the time “but not so drunk that he didn’t know what he was doing”.
A post-mortem found that Ms Westerman suffered at least 17 stab wounds to her chest, abdomen, back and arms.
Victim impact statements were provided by Ms Westerman’s three daughters from a previous marriage.
One said: “I want you to know how much I hate you. We have lost our mum because of the monster you are.”
Another added: “You have caused me to have so many trust issues in my life. You have not only taken my mum but you have taken a massive part of me. I will never forgive you for what you have done.”
For the defence, Denise Breen-Lawton KC said that Bootland’s attack had not been premeditated and said a statement from a friend indicated that the arguments that broke out were “50/50”, adding: “This is not an excuse, but are contributing factors.
Ms Breen-Lawton added that Bootland had shown “deep remorse” and that the impact statements were “fully acknowledged”.
She also requested that credit be given for Bootland’s immediate guilty plea upon being arrested, saying: “He’s fully prepared to take the punishment he deserves.”
Sentencing Bootland, The Recorder of Leeds, Guy Kearl KC, said: “I have heard the devastating impact your actions have had on her family.
“You armed yourself with a knife and carried out this brutal attack on her, showing no mercy.
“You carried out this ferocious and frenzied attack, intending to kill her. Such was the nature, number and force and locations of the blows you struck to her.
“Your intention may have been influenced by alcohol, however a drunk intention is still an intention.”
Bootland was handed a life sentence, with a minimum term of 15 years before he is considered for release.