A MONSTER who stabbed his ex-girlfriend to death in a ferocious attack smirked in a mugshot after he was found guilty of murder.
Logan Burnett, 27, waged a twisted campaign of harassment against mum-of-three Courtney Mitchell before killing her.
East Anglia News ServiceCourtney Mitchell was stabbed to death in broad daylight[/caption]
East Anglia News ServiceBurnett chased Courtney before stabbing her in front of friends and passers-by[/caption]
A mugshot taken as Burnett was brought into custody shows him smirkingEast Anglia News Service
The “violent coward” caused a flood in Courtney’s home before knifing her in broad daylight while she was out with friends.
Courtney, 26, had dumped Burnett – but he refused to accept the end of their relationship.
He chased Courtney before repeatedly stabbing her in front of friends and passers-by in Ipswich at 7.10pm on August 6.
Courtney died in hospital after cops found her lying on the pavement.
She had two sons aged eight and a four-year-old daughter, friends said.
Burnett fled the scene but was immediately identified as the murder suspect and arrested the next day.
A mugshot taken as he was brought into custody shows him smirking without a trace of remorse.
Burnett was due to face trial but admitted Courtney’s murder and possession of two knives at Ipswich Crown Court yesterday.
He will be sentenced next February, but was told he can expect life in prison.
Judge Martyn Levett said: “The only sentence I can pass is one of life imprisonment.”
The judge added: “You need to anticipate a very long prison sentence.”
Burnett had waged a sickening campaign of harassment against Courtney before the stabbing.
At one point, he smashed water pipes in her new home – flooding the property.
Burnett pleaded guilty to an unrelated charge of assault by beating of a woman special constable in Ipswich on June 9 this year.
He was given one day in detention for the offence, which he admitted when he first appeared in court charged with murder.
The assault conviction could not previously be reported for legal reasons.
‘UTTERLY DEVASTATED’
Paying tribute, Courtney’s family said: “Her contagious smile lit up any room and her laughter was the sweetest sound in our home.
“Her kindness had no limits, she was always there for everybody, family, friend, or stranger.
“She was helpful in every way possible – her empathy knew no bounds. She was fun, fierce and extremely loyal.
“Courtney was a daughter, granddaughter, a mummy, a sister, niece, aunty, cousin and a best friend to all. She had time for everybody.
“She would go above and beyond the scale to help others in need and always offered support in any way possible.”
The family added: “Courtney was a great mum with two beautiful sons and one beautiful daughter who love her immeasurably.
“We miss you and you are forever in our hearts and as a family we are completely and utterly devastated and broken.
“A void will always be left and a place at the table will always be set for you.”
Detective Superintendent Nicola Wallace said: “This was a completely senseless loss of life which has devastated Courtney’s family.
“Logan Burnett is a violent coward who murdered a defenceless woman in front of her friends and members of the public in broad daylight.
“At least by admitting his guilt, Burnett has spared Courtney’s family the additional trauma of a trial.
“But the pain and anguish his actions that evening have caused will live with them for ever.”
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 – [email protected].
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.
East Anglia News ServiceCourtney died in hospital after cops found her lying on the pavement[/caption]
East Anglia News ServiceShe had two sons aged eight and a four-year-old daughter, friends said[/caption]
East Anglia News ServiceBurnett had waged a sickening campaign of harassment against Courtney[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
