A son who stabbed his loving parents 284 times before trying to flee the country slandered them in court to try and save his skin.
Lee Tipping was convicted of murdering Anthony Tipping and Patricia Livesey at Preston Crown Court June 30. The jury heard the 36-year-old then drove miles from his home in Higher Walton, Lancashire, to Liverpool John Lennon Airport but was unable to board a flight due to covid restrictions.
Today a High Court judge, Mr Justice Goose, told Tipping he rejected his description of his dad as a "bully" and his mum as "neglectful" as he was jailed for life with a minimum term of 27 years before Tipping can apply for Parole. He said: "In your evidence you said your father was a bully and you did not feel supported by your mother.
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"I reject as untrue that your father was a bully. I also reject that you received any less than the best of care from your parents. The murders have caused immeasurable pain to family and friends."
Judge Goose said he accepted Tipping had schizophrenia and disordered thinking which had "some impact" on the murders, but the jury had heard the condition did not "substantially impair" his actions and that he had deliberately stopped taking his medication.
During his trial a jury heard Tipping knifed his dad, Anthony, at least 131 times in his chest and eyes while his um Patricia cried out for him to stop. The killer then turned the knife on her frail six stone frame, stabbing or slashing her at least 153 times.
Tipping claimed he was acting in self defence, but the jury dismissed his claims and found he was the aggressor on November 19, last year, LancsLive reports. After using a kettlebell to batter his dad, 60, he then used an aerosol and lighter to launch a flamethrower at his face before stabbing him to death.
Neighbours said they heard Patricia, 56, shouting "Oh no Lee, what have you done?" after she found Anthony had been attacked. After killing his parents, Tipping washed the knife and placed it into his father's hand as he lay dead on the bathroom floor.
He then stepped over his mum's body and left for Liverpool John Lennon Airport at 1.30am, in a bid to flee the country. While at the airport he used a mobile phone to search for information about Covid passes.
After realising he did not have a covid pass, he returned home to print it and collect his laptop, shortly after 8am. Tipping stepped over his mum's body on the landing to get his laptop but told the court that he did not look at his parents when he returned home.
He then booked a flight to Sweden and this time set off for Manchester Airport, at around 1.15pm, arriving at 2.30pm. Tipping later took a taxi from the Airport pub to Manchester City Centre where he was arrested at the Premier Inn in Medlock Street around 9.30pm.
During his trial he shouted from the dock and threatened witnesses.
Andrew Ford, QC, representing Tipping, asked Judge Goose to "temper the sentence to whatever degree you feel able" due to his client's mental health. He said his client was now back on his medication and had "lost the good people who cared for him".
In the courtroom today, Tipping's uncle and Anthony's brother, Stuart Tipping, read an emotional victim personal statement to the court. He said: "Tip and Trish were so proud of Lee. He was the centre of their world. At 22, Lee went to live in supported accommodation but they were so worried about him they moved him back against the advice of professionals. They just tried to be the best parents they could.
"We always feared he would take over their lives but never thought he would take their lives. It is hard to believe your own flesh and blood could do such an insidious act."
Detective Chief Insp Jill Johnston, of the Lancashire Police Major Investigation Team, said: “This is an utterly tragic case that saw the very two people who loved and cared for Lee Tipping more than anyone else in the world, having had their lives taken away by him. Tricia and Anthony devoted their lives to their son and they did everything for him. Despite this Lee subjected them both to the most horrific, sustained and violent attack last year, that resulted in their deaths.
“Lee has shown no remorse for his actions and we know that he made extensive efforts to flee the country prior to his arrest in Manchester on the day after the murders. He has maintained self-defence and loss of control as the reason behind the killings, failing to accept any personal responsibility for the consequences of his ferocious attacks. Lee has subjected the families of both Tricia and Anthony to a four-week trial, prolonging the upset and heart felt grief that has rippled through the close community in which they had lived for all of their lives.
“Sadly, this verdict today provides no relief from the tragic loss that Tricia and Anthony’s families and friends have suffered. They have remained incredibly dignified throughout this investigation and my thoughts remain with them at this incredibly difficult time."
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