Tributes have been paid to a young mum who was stabbed more than 100 times with a screwdriver, as her killer was jailed for life. Police officers found the body of 27-year-old Mckyla Taylor in the bedroom of a flat in Lowtown Street, Worksop, in the early hours of August 16, 2022.
The young mum had suffered 199 separate injuries to her head and body, with forensic evidence showing most of these had been inflicted inside the property's bedroom by two screwdrivers discovered in the living room. David Jackson, 68, arrived at the scene a few hours later asking if he could get a jumper from his flat and then casually mentioned to an officer that he had killed someone upstairs.
Jackson, who police said was a drug user, remained silent throughout police interviews but was charged with murder two days later after detectives worked to build a case against him. At Nottingham Crown Court today (June 1) Jackson, who had a series of convictions for sexual abuse and exploitation of children, was jailed for life - of which a minimum of 17 years will be spent behind bars - after he pleaded guilty to Mckyla's murder.
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Judge James Sampson said Jackson would not be eligible for parole for another 16 years and 135 days, taking into account the 230 days he has already served in custody. Mckyla and Jackson had been known to each other for some time and had met up during the day on August 15.
Concerns were raised by Mckyla’s friends and family when she did not respond to calls and messages. Police were alerted and attended Jackson’s Lowtown Street address at around 2am the following morning.
When officers forced entry to the flat, they found Mckyla’s body lying under a duvet on the floor, with weights and push bikes placed on top of it. Mckyla was pronounced dead at around 2.30am by paramedics and a post-mortem investigation later revealed the extent of the injuries she had suffered.
Detective Chief Inspector Clare Dean, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Mckyla was a young woman who was loved and adored by her family and many friends.
“Her life was taken away from her in the most brutal fashion by David Jackson, who has shown very little remorse and would not give any account in interview.
“Detectives carried out a meticulous investigation, with many officers working around the clock to gather the evidence against him. He continued to deny murdering Mckyla until shortly before a trial was about to begin – inflicting further pain and anxiety on her loved ones.
“The attack Jackson inflicted on Mckyla was relentless, causing catastrophic injuries which ultimately led to her death. He has taken away a loving and caring mum, daughter, sister, and friend.
“Today’s sentence will not bring Mckyla back, but it does mean that Jackson will spend a considerable part of his life behind bars, and I hope this gives her family some comfort.”
Mckyla’s mum, Emma Sentence, 45, paid tribute to her daughter after Jackson was sentenced. She said: "Mckyla wasn't just my daughter she was my best friend. She was always there for me and stood by me.
"Mckyla had a smile that would light up the room and a contagious laugh. She was just a fun-loving girl.
"I still remember the weekend she was killed as if it was yesterday. We had a lovely weekend sunbathing, listening to music and doing our nails and then she left and that was the last time I saw her."
Mckyla's brother, Callum Taylor, 26, will now be looking after her one-year-old daughter - in the same house that Mckyla grew up in. "It is like a part of Mckyla is coming home," Callum said.
"Mckyla had always wanted to be a mum and was so thrilled when she found out she was pregnant. I just want to do my best to bring up her daughter and give her a normal, loving life.
"No sentence will ever be enough for what happened to Mckyla. I will never forget waking up that day and hearing she had been killed. I cannot understand why anyone would want to hurt someone that kind."
Mckyla's older sister, Nicole, 29, described her as the "life and soul of the party". "She was always bubbly, always singing, always dancing," she said.
"I remember going to our grandparents' house and we would sing and dance, stand on tables and have fun. They were the best times."
Annette Thomas from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “David Jackson committed a horrific attack, inflicting nearly 200 injuries on a younger, vulnerable woman after a disturbing pattern of abusive behaviour towards her. Today’s sentence reflects the cruelty of that attack, the distress and suffering he inflicted on his victim and his abusive, sordid background.
“I would like to offer my sincere condolences to Mckyla’s family and loved ones.”
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