Life in jail for man who killed neighbour in row over drugs cash

A FATHER of three has been jailed for life for the “vicious” murder of a 59-year-old neighbour who he repeatedly stabbed multiple times in the victim's own Bulwell home.

- By MARTIN NAYLOR

A trial heard victim Linton Needham still had his crutches attached to him when he was found by the emergency services lying in his Bulwell flat having been attacked with a knife that Gediminas Cepla took to the scene.

After stabbing his first victim, the 44-year-old then turned his attention to Nikita Cutler, Mr Needham’s then 33-year-old partner.

He thrust the same knife into her and left her with no option but to make her escape by jumping from a window screaming.

Telling the defendant, of Quarry Avenue, Bulwell, it would be 27 years before he will be eligible to apply for parole, Judge Nirmal Shant KC said: “There was a dispute about drugs - the precise nature of the issue is hard to determine from the evidence.

“You then went to the address armed with the knife and intending to use it.

“It was a vicious and concerted attack with a knife to vulnerable areas of the body.

“This was a ferocious attack and you intended to kill him.

“It was an attack with a highly dangerous weapon you took to the scene.”

A two-week trial at Nottingham Crown Court heard police were called to Cinderhill Walk, at about 1.45pm on April 20 in response to reports of a serious assault.