An “evil” teenager has been jailed for life after brutally stabbing a “heroic” dad to death as he tried desperately to protect his teenage daughter.
Levi Westhead has been jailed for 17 years after he knifed Mark Webster 12 times after he turned up at his home in Blackpool demanding to see his 16-year-old daughter.
The 18-year-old had been in an on-off relationship with the young girl, and bombarded her with abusive and sickening text messages telling her to kill herself, LancsLive reported.
On the evening of July 23, 2021, he took a knife and tried to force his way into her house.
But 50-year-old dad refused to let him inside, so Westhead made his way to the back of the house, where the two fought and Mr Webster was stabbed multiple times in the chest and abdomen, the court was told.
Westhead claimed he had acted in self-defence, but the jury found him guilty on January 28, this year.
He was sentenced at Preston Crown Court today, where Mr Webster was praised as “a true man and a true hero” who tried to protect his daughter from an “evil, controlling, harassing” boy.
Westhead sighed and rolled his eyes as victim statements were read from the heartbroken widow Michelle, Mr Webster’s daughter, and 12-year-old son.
Michelle described her partner of 31-years as her “first and only love” and said words couldn’t come close to describing her heartbreak.
She said: "I knew Web when I was 15, and we started going out when we were 16 - childhood sweethearts.
"We doted on each other. He was the love of my life. We had been together 31 years. He was the most placid, funny, loving gentleman.
"That night my Web was taken away was a night I will never forget, and one I will relive on a daily basis.
"Web tried to protect his family and that's what he did, and ultimately paid with his life.
"Levi has taken away our world in such a senseless way. This has completely destroyed me, my family, and all our lives.
"Web was the rock of the family, the heart and soul, and he paid the ultimate price to protect his family. A true man and a true hero."
His daughter described Westhead as "an evil, controlling, harassing boy", who had abused her during their 18 months together.
She said: "I'm not comfortable going out anymore. Any little noise I hear, I'm frightened. If I see someone who looks like [Westhead], I freeze.
"I have terrible nightmares of Levi killing me and killing my dad, and it's very upsetting.”
She added that now her mother rarely leaves the house as well due to Westhead’s actions, and that she no longer feels safe in her own home.
Mr Webster’s 12-year-old son was without his father and admitted to the court it had left him having suicidal thoughts.
He added: "My dad didn't deserve this. He's a hero and he will not see me grow up and will not be here for memories to come. I miss just spending time with him. I love my dad."
In mitigation, the court heard that Westhead was "immature" for his age and did not intend to kill Mr Webster when he went to the family's home that day.
Andrew Thomas, defending, said it had been a tragedy for “all concerned … on both sides”.
He claimed Westhead was “genuinely sorry” for what he’s done and that Mr Webster had acted only to protect his family, and lost his life for it.
Handing down a life sentence with a minimum of 17 years, Judge Medland said: "This was an appallingly sad event which should never have happened.
"Mark Webster's murder has robbed his immediate family of their father figure, and principal breadwinner.
"He was a much-loved and very caring man for whom nothing seemed too much trouble.
"He was a hard-working and sensible man, 'an extra special human being' 'a placid gentleman' 'loved by so many people' 'gentle', 'lovable', 'a true man' and a 'true hero' who had established for his family a decent living and a decent way of life.
"He died protecting them.
"The loss suffered by Michelle Webster and her family is irreparable. The reality is that no sentence any court could ever impose could equal the value of Mark Webster's life.
"To respectfully adopt Michelle Webster's own phrase: 'no sentence could ever be enough'.
"Therefore I do not endeavour today to attempt that impossible feat. Rather, I endeavour to impose a sentence which is proper in this particular case on these particular facts."
