Man found guilty of murder

25 January 2011, 10:26 | Updated: 10 February 2011, 13:18

A 29-year-old man was found guilty of the murder of father of one Mark Butler at Luton Crown Court yesterday (Monday, January 24). He has been sentenced to life imprisonment and will serve a minimum of 14 years.

Dwayne Parchment, of Bowcock Walk, Stevenage, was charged with murder on July 16, 2010, after killing Mark on July 13, 2010.

Thirty-two-year-old Mark Butler, of Burydale in Stevenage, sustained stab wounds inside the Bowcock Walk address at approximately 4.30pm on Tuesday, July 13. His injuries were fatal and he tragically passed away shortly after arriving at hospital.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Carl Foster of the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “Our sympathies go out to Mark’s family today; they have been tremendously brave throughout the investigation and the trial. I hope that through today’s verdict and sentencing, Mark’s family can find some comfort that the man who killed him will now spend a significant amount of time behind bars.”

Mark Butler’s mother, Sandra Butler said: “We are still so shocked and saddened about what happened to Mark and we miss him every day. I am very sad that Mark’s daughter Georgia, who he was so devoted to, will not have her dad to see her grow up, succeed in life and walk her down the aisle one day. It is also so tragic that she will grow up knowing that her father was taken from her so cruelly.

“My only hope now is that this prison sentence will give Mark’s killer the time to consider his actions and the devastating impact they have had on my family.”

Meanwhile thirty six-year-old Zoe McGonnell from Bowcock Walk in Stevenage was charged with perverting the course of justice and pleaded guilty in December.

She was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment.