Son Receives Life Sentence for Horrific Knife and Hammer Murder of His Mother

Oliver Grange, a 24-year-old, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his mother, Rachel Dixon, aged 49. The horrific attack occurred at Grange's residence on Skelmersdale Avenue in Clacton, Essex, on March 21st. Essex Police were called to the scene following reports of a seriously injured woman. Paramedics and an air ambulance crew attended, but tragically, Rachel was pronounced dead at the scene.

The court heard that Rachel had gone to the house to retrieve some belongings while her new partner waited in the car. Her partner reported hearing her exclaim "No" before she emerged from the house and collapsed. He observed blood on her head and multiple stab wounds. A passerby witnessed the partner attempting to control the bleeding. A post-mortem examination revealed numerous stab wounds, signs of manual strangulation, and injuries from blunt force. The pathologist at Colchester Hospital identified head injuries consistent with a hammer blow. Police found a three-inch flick knife near Grange and a bloodied hammer inside the property.

Grange was found in the back garden with wounds to his wrists and neck. He told a police officer that he had used a hammer to harm his mother and pleaded for his own life to be taken, stating, "I'm a monster". He will serve a minimum of 15 years and 25 days in prison before being eligible for parole. The judge reduced the initial minimum term due to time already served in custody.

The judge stated that Grange murdered his mother because he blamed her for his parents' separation and felt abandoned. The defense counsel, Lawrence Selby KC, noted that no medical evidence had been presented. Mr. Selby added that Grange would have to live with the consequences of his actions for the rest of his life. Rachel's family released a statement expressing their grief, describing her as a beloved daughter, sister, mother, and aunt, who would be deeply missed.