I will always regret the day I met you, tearful girlfriend tells ex as he’s jailed for stabbing her new partner to death
A BRAVE girlfriend told her ex she would “always regret the day I met you” as he was jailed for stabbing her new partner to death.
Kaydon Prior, 23, shouted “I love you” at ex-girlfriend Alicia Parrin while stabbing Harrison Tomkins with a 16cm-long hunting blade.
The killer had ripped back Alicia’s bedsheets to launch into the gruesome attack after spotting the pair on a night out together.
He had been captured in chilling CCTV plotting the murder with pal Jason Curtis.
Alicia bravely confronted Prior in court as he was jailed for life with a minimum of 28 years.
She counted the blows Harrison received in a powerful victim impact statement, telling the court: “One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.
“That’s how many times he put the knife in Harrison.”
Alicia spoke of her torment after her new partner was killed and revealed she felt helpless in that moment.
She added: “I was 19 when I first met him and I will always regret the day.
“I don’t think I’ll ever truly be able to recover from the trauma of what he did to me and what he did to Harrison.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to un-see what I saw that night. The amount of blood that was on the bed.
“It was like the sheets had been dyed red.”
Alicia also told the court how Harrison was the opposite of her controlling ex Prior, who “instilled” fear in her.
She said whenever she closes her eyes, she can still see Prior storming into her room.
Tearful Alicia added: “I’m trapped in the nightmare of that night again.
“Before all of this, I used sleep to stop him hurting me. I can’t do that any more.”
Chichester Crown Court was told Prior had refused to accept his relationship with Alicia had ended.
His jealousy turned deadly on August 13 last year when he saw his ex and Harrison, 25, enjoying a night out in London together.
Prior messaged her: “Letting guys kiss you and that…that’s absolutely wrong…I can literally see you.”
After plotting the deadly attack, Curtis kept lookout as Prior returned home to grab housekeys for Alicia’s flat and a knife.
He then burst into Alicia’s bedroom in Crawley and pinned defenceless Harrison down before knifing him ten times.
Before leaving, Prior punched his ex and told her: “I should stab you too”.
When confronted by Alicia’s neighbours, the killer tried to pass off her screams as “good sex”.
When he was arrested, bodycam footage showed Curtis hiding in a bush.
He asked officers: “Who’s been murdered? I’ve been on a night out as it’s my birthday.”
Harrison's family speak after the sentencing
“Today we receive justice for our Harrison.
“We want to dedicate immense thanks to all our family and friends for supporting us through this lengthy and unnecessary trial and the financial and emotional suffering they have all endured as part of it.
“We were subjected to hearing so many lies from the defendants, and to date they have shown no sign of remorse or regret for what they have done.
“We are pleased with the outcome of today’s sentence however nothing will ever compensate for the loss of our Harrison and such a special life.
“The Crown Prosecution Service, Sussex Police and all of our family liaison officers have supported us through so many months to get us to this closure today and we are extremely grateful.”
Prior later claimed he acted in self-defence after Harrison began punching him.
The killer said both men were reaching for the knife, adding: “I was just trying to get out of there, I was panicking… I couldn’t get him off me.”
But jurors saw through his web of lies and he was convicted of murder, possession of an offensive weapon and common assault.
Although Curtis did not inflict any of the fatal injuries, he was also found guilty after encouraging Prior and jailed for at least 22 years.
How you can get help
Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
Detective Police Constable Elliott Lander, of the Major Crime Team, said: “I am pleased that we have been able to get the justice that Harrison richly deserves today.
“I never got to meet Harrison, but I have learned so much about him and have seen how greatly loved he was by all who knew him.
“Harrison was killed in a frenzied attack that he had no chance to defend himself from. Prior and Curtis will both rightly now have to live with the devastating consequences of their actions for a considerable period of their lives in prison.
“On behalf of Harrison and all his family and friends, I’d like to thank those who came forward and supported our investigation.”
