Crane Operator Sentenced to 20 Years for Brutal Murder of Wife

Dempsey Nibbs, a crane operator aged 69 at the time of his sentencing, has been convicted of murdering his wife, an act that has deeply unsettled their family and friends. Nibbs received a prison sentence of 20 years for the ruthless beheading of Judith Nibbs, who was 60 years old and known for her volunteer work with Meals On Wheels. The circumstance leading to this heinous crime was a furious reaction from Nibbs upon discovering that his wife had been romantically linked to other men.

In the proceedings at Old Bailey, the jury dismissed Nibbs' claim of acting in self-defense and found him guilty of murder after hearing details of the brutal attack. Defence barrister Ian Henderson QC acknowledged that Nibbs, who is dealing with prostate cancer, may not have long to live, as it is likely he will spend his remaining days incarcerated. Recorder of London, Nicholas Hilliard QC, imposed a sentence that requires Nibbs to serve a minimum of 21 years, emphasizing the gravity of his actions.

On April 10, 2014, in their home in Hoxton, East London, Nibbs violently assaulted Judith, first incapacitating her with an iron bar before beheading her and disposing of her remains in the toilet. After the murder, Nibbs left a note for his son, Kirk, and made a 999 call to alert authorities that there would be two bodies at their address. When police arrived and looked through the letterbox, they saw Judith's decapitated body, and upon entering the home, they seized weapons from Nibbs, who was reportedly attempting to harm himself.

Nibbs claimed his actions were motivated by a belief that his wife was unhappy, referring to her as a 'snake'. However, there was no evidence of mental illness presented in court. The couple's marriage had deteriorated significantly by that spring, with accusations of infidelity weighing heavily on their relationship. Judith had confessed her affairs during a heated argument shortly before her death, making an eerie comment about her potential demise just a day prior.

In a family tribute, Judith's sister Frances described her as caring and kind, emphasizing that, regardless of any marital issues, Judith did not deserve the cruel fate that befell her. The family's emotional devastation was evident, particularly in how deeply the murder affected her son, Kirk, who was unable to provide a victim impact statement following the tragedy.