22 February 2023 , 13:32
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A true crime-obsessed woman has been jailed for life after being found guilty of stabbing her on-off boyfriend to death as he slept, in what the judge described as a "crime of passion".
Shaye Groves, 27, slit the throat of Frankie Fitzgerald, 25, before stabbing him 17 times in the chest in July last year. She was convicted of the crime at Winchester Crown Court, after trying to portray herself as his victim.
On Wednesday morning Groves was sentenced to life in jail with a minimum term of 23 years for the horrendous crime.
During the five-week trial the court heard of how Groves had framed pictures of serial killers on her walls, collected books about gangsters, including the notorious prisoner Charles Bronson, and watched true crime documentaries.
She used tips from the true crime documentaries to plan her alibi and used this knowledge to portray herself to friend, Vicky Baitup, as a victim of Mr Fitzgerald's sexual violence.
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Police at the scene of Fizgerald's murder in July last year (Hampshire Incidents/Solent News)She appeared in court wearing a jacket with a pentagram drawn on the back of it, and remained expressionless in the dock as she received her sentence.
In his sentencing remarks, Mr Justice Kerr told Groves: "You have robbed Frankie's family and loved ones of their son and their brother, and his two children of their father."
He added that Groves had ended Mr Fitzgerald's life in his mid-20s, and that she had "blighted" the lives of his family "for decades to come".
Pictures of serial killers on Groves' bedroom wall (PA)However, he described the murder as a "crime of passion", adding that Groves was not "a cold-blooded murderer".
"This was a crime of passion," he said. "You loved the man you killed, and you killed the man you loved.
"You are not a cold-blooded murderer, a crime of passion is not committed in cold blood."
Frankie Fitzgerald died following the attack in July last year (Hampshire Police)During the sentencing hearing, a statement from Frankie's father, Barry Fitzgerald, was read out to the court.
"I am still grieving, I am not sure I will ever get over this," he said. "Today I would say to Frankie, I love you son, you are missed by everyone.
"Your shining light will always be in our hearts."
Frankie's family were praised by Hampshire police for their "courage" with the force adding that they hoped the sentence would "in some way deliver the jusice they deserve".
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Groves used tips from true crime documentaries to plan her alibi (Facebook)Speaking outside the court on Wednesday, Hampshire Constabulary DCI Rod Kenny said: "Shaye Groves was responsible for the shocking and sustained attack that tragically resulted in Frankie's death.
"We are pleased with the jury's verdict and the sentence will ensure that Groves spends a significant period in time in prison for what she has done.
"Nothing can fill the void that has been left in the lives of those who knew Frankie and our thoughts remain with his family, friends and loved ones.
A BB gun found in Groves' bedroom drawer (PA)"We would like to praise their courage and hope that this sentence will in some way deliver the justice they deserve."
During the trial, Steven Perian KC, prosecuting, told the jury that Groves acted out of jealousy after she found out her victim had been messaging a 13-year-old girl on Facebook.
He said: "Their sex life involved bondage, dominance, submission and masochism - in short form, BDSM.
"It is very likely she was obsessed with Frankie Fitzgerald because of his performance in the bedroom.
"The killing of Frankie Fitzgerald is very likely to be a crime of passion driven by her jealousy."
A BB gun found in Groves' bedroom drawer (PA)Mr Perian said Groves sent Ms Baitup videos of her and Fitzgerald having sex edited to appear as rape, but the prosecution said the original footage showed that it was consensual sex.
Mr Perian added: "Where would the defendant have got the insight from to plan the details of the attack and to make it look like she was the victim of an assault?
"The defendant has many gangster books like Charles Bronson in her bookcase.
"She has serial killer pictures all in frames on her wall and she watches murder documentaries.
A knife found in the bathroom sink of the defendant (PA)"The Crown says that the defendant - by reading about and watching murder documentaries - she was familiar with crime scenes, how to create a false narrative and how to set up a false alibi.
"She deliberately set up a false narrative of being abused by Frankie Fitzgerald, a false alibi she sent to Vicky Baitup and was cleaning the crime scene having watched these documentaries."
Following conviction, the jury was told that Groves had been dealing cannabis.
Mr Justice Kerr earlier told the jurors: "It remains for me to thank you from the court for the dedication and work you have done on this case."