THE family of a woman stabbed to death in the street have condemned her killer as an 'evil, vicious monster'.

Torbjorn Kettlewell, 30, stabbed Kelly Franklin, the mother of his three children, more than 30 times in Hartlepool and was then helped to flee the scene by his former neighbour and lover Julie Wass, 48, of Kipling Road, Hartlepool.

The Northern Echo:

Wass, 48, drove Kettlewell to the horrific stabbing, then sped him away to a woodland hideout they had checked out earlier in the day.

Both Kettlewell, of Oval Grange, Hartlepool, and Wass, of Kipling Road, Hartlepool, denied murder.

Kettlewell, 30, was convicted of murder and Wass was cleared of murder but found guilty of the alternative charge of manslaughter following a trial at Teesside Crown Court.

After the verdicts were returned Kelly Franklin's family released a statement.

It reads: "Kelly was a smiling, beautiful, loving daughter, sister and mother who had three wonderful children. She was a bubbly, chatty, friendly girl whom anybody would feel comfortable talking to.

"Devastatingly, her life was tragically cut short by that evil, vicious monster Ian Kettlewell on August 3rd 2018. 

"Kettlewell plagued Kelly’s life for 12 years in a controlling and abusive relationship, but she had finally escaped his grip and realised she didn’t need someone like him in her life.

"She had started to move on from him and was much better off without him. She seemed more confident and determined to rebuild her life after he had worn her down. She was back to being herself again."

The family also hit out at the part played by Wass. 

"Julie Wass was supposed to be a friend and neighbour. She was a 48-year-old care worker who was a mother and grandmother herself, she should have known better. She should hang her head in shame for the role she has played in this, her actions have been downright disgusting, and totally heartless," they said.  

"We hope this hangs on their conscience everyday of their miserable lives and they are punished accordingly for their ultimate betrayal. 

"No matter what sentence is given, it will never be enough, it will not be justice, it will not bring Kelly back to us, she is still gone forever and the children will still not have their mother. 

"We feel so blessed that we had the time with Kelly that we did, but also robbed of the many memories we still had yet to make.

"She was so young when she died and she still had her whole life ahead of her, so many things she dreamed of doing and achieving. Our lives will never been the same."