Man (41) pleads guilty to murdering wife who worked at Rotherham Hospital

Craig Woodhall (pictured) pleaded guilty to stabbing his wife Victoria (31), at a hearing at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday (September 19). 

Woodhall stabbed the mum-of-three - who worked as an operating department practitioner - multiple times during a sustained attack on Sunday, March 29. this year. 

At 4.55pm on March 29, members of the public began calling 999 after Woodhall chased Victoria from their property in Windsor Crescent, Middlecliffe, into the street, before attacking her with a machete.

Senior investigating officer, Det Insp Ben Wood said: “Victoria was subjected to a brutal and sustained attack, and there were several people in the immediate vicinity who witnessed this horrifying murder.

“Our officers began to arrive shortly after the emergency calls, along with paramedics and an air ambulance. Despite the best efforts of both our officers and medical staff, Victoria’s injuries were so severe she was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

“Woodhall fled prior to police arrival, and at 5.50pm, two officers were driving down Wombwell Lane in Barnsley when a car flashed its headlights at them. Woodhall got out of the car and was subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder.”

A post-mortem examination concluded that Victoria had died as a result of multiple wounds.

Det Insp Wood continued: “Victoria’s injuries were significant and extensive – she was stabbed with a Gurkha-style machete knife, which our officers recovered from the scene.

“The violence she suffered was so extreme that she had multiple skull fractures, as well as significant injuries to her head, face, neck, arms, hands, shoulders and back.

“CCTV footage recovered as part of our inquiry showed that he dragged Victoria to the ground and stabbed her several times before walking away. He returned a further two times, inflicting more violence.

“While I am pleased that Woodhall has accepted responsibility for his crime, this will do little to comfort Victoria’s family and loved ones. I send my deepest condolences to them as they come to terms with their loss.

“This was a horrific attack, I know this incident caused a significant deal of distress within the local community, especially among those residents who witnessed the murder. Those eyewitnesses have received support from our partners in victim care, to process the traumatic impact of this crime.”

Woodhall, formerly of Windsor Crescent, Barnsley, appeared for a plea hearing at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday. 

He has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on October 2.