A KILLER has been jailed for nearly 30 years for the ‘senseless’ murder of a Coventry man.
Alexander Neilson, 28, fatally stabbed Anthony Priestley, 53, at the latter’s Aldrich Avenue home in the early hours of November 18 last year.
Neilson, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to murder and, at Warwick Crown Court, was jailed for 27 years.
On the night of Mr Priestley’s murder, Neilson visited his address and produced a knife, stabbing Mr Priestley eight times. He died the same night.
While leaving the address, Neilson made threats to the other people inside that if they called the police, he would do the same to them.
An investigation was launched by officers from West Midlands Police’s Homicide team, who used hours of CCTV footage and witness statements to piece together the events leading up to the attack.
Anthony Priestley is ‘missed every day’.
This led them to arrest Neilson on the same day.
When he was arrested, Neilson denied having anything to do with Mr Priestley’s death, but later admitted to stabbing him in interview.
Mr Priestley’s daughter paid tribute, saying: “Dad, you’re missed every day and I will love you forever.”
Det Sgt Andy Wareham from the Homicide department said: “This was an act of senseless violence which took a man’s life.
“Regardless of the circumstances, Anthony Priestley had a right to feel safe in his own home.
“We hope Anthony’s family will feel closure knowing we were able to secure justice against Alexander Neilson.”
