THE family of a man who was murdered in his Colwyn Bay home last November have paid tribute to him after the two people responsible for his death were jailed for life.
David Mark Wilcox, commonly known as Mark, died early on November 20, 2023 after being stabbed by Lauren Harris and attacked by David Webster at his house on Bay View Road.
Today (August 12), Harris, 29, of no fixed abode but from the Colwyn Bay area; and Webster, 43, of Lacey Street, Widnes; were handed minimum terms of imprisonment of 25 and 23 years respectively, after being convicted of murder on August 8.
Mr Wilcox’s family celebrated the life of a “kind, caring and generous man”.
A family statement read: “Mark loved us all, and we loved him.
“We have lost our loving, funny, kind, and sensitive brother, son, husband, uncle, father, grandfather, mentor, and friend.
“Mark was a kind, caring and generous man who made us smile and laugh, and whom always had a kind word for everyone he met and knew.
“As a family, we have been left absolutely devastated. Mark’s grandchildren will grow up without their doting and loving grandfather.
“Mark’s death leaves a void that feels irreparable. Things will never be the same again.”
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Harris, who had moved in with Mr Wilcox at his home on Bay View Road, stabbed him twice in the early hours of November 20, 2023 while Webster also inflicted unlawful violence upon him.
She and Mr Wilcox appeared to have started a relationship in mid-2023, and had invited Webster, who she met for the first time days earlier, and Thomas Whiteley, who was cleared of murder, to his home on the evening of November 19.
But an argument ensued, and Mr Wilcox, whose bank account had been drained of funds in the months he and Harris lived together, was attacked and stabbed.
On the night he died, Mr Wilcox’s bank account displayed an “insufficient funds” message when Harris repeatedly tried to make cash withdrawals.
Harris then urged Webster and Whiteley to join her in Mr Wilcox’s Volvo – when they did, she drove off, only for the car to crash moments later. Mr Wilcox was found unconscious in his living room by police shortly after.
Superintendent Sarah-Jayne Williams, North Wales Police’s senior investigating officer for the case, said: “This was a violent and senseless murder of a much-loved father, husband, son, brother and grandfather, whose life was taken from him in such unnecessary circumstances.
“His family are suffering profoundly due to their loss, and I recognise that no sentence will bring him back to them.
“However, I hope today’s outcome will bring some sense of peace.
“They have shown immense courage and dignity throughout this complex and lengthy investigation, and my thoughts remain with them today.
“Harris and Webster callously murdered Mark in his own home in a sustained attack, where he should have been safe.
“They took his belongings, including his car, which Harris subsequently crashed.
“They have prolonged his family’s suffering by refusing to admit their part in killing Mark, whilst showing no remorse for their actions.
“I hope this lengthy sentence gives them both some time to reflect on what they have done.”
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