This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/8415956.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Life term for homophobic murder Life term for homophobic murder
(about 3 hours later)
A man has been jailed for life for murdering one man and attempting to murder his partner in a homophobic attack in south London.A man has been jailed for life for murdering one man and attempting to murder his partner in a homophobic attack in south London.
Gerald Edwards, 59, was killed and Chris Bevan, 57, suffered "catastrophic injuries" at their home in Bromley in March, the Old Bailey heard.Gerald Edwards, 59, was killed and Chris Bevan, 57, suffered "catastrophic injuries" at their home in Bromley in March, the Old Bailey heard.
David Kilcullen, 46, from Bromley, must serve a minimum of 32 years.David Kilcullen, 46, from Bromley, must serve a minimum of 32 years.
Judge Brian Barker, the Common Serjeant of London, said: "There was at least an undercurrent of homophobic attitude."Judge Brian Barker, the Common Serjeant of London, said: "There was at least an undercurrent of homophobic attitude."
The court heard Kilcullen went to rob frail Gerald Edwards, armed with a knife and determined not to leave any witnesses behind.The court heard Kilcullen went to rob frail Gerald Edwards, armed with a knife and determined not to leave any witnesses behind.
But he did not bank on Mr Edwards's partner of 18 years, Chris Bevan, being at home and attacked him too.But he did not bank on Mr Edwards's partner of 18 years, Chris Bevan, being at home and attacked him too.
Sentencing Kilcullen, the judge told him he may well die in prison because of the danger he posed.Sentencing Kilcullen, the judge told him he may well die in prison because of the danger he posed.
'Terrified cry'
Housebound Mr Edwards, 59, was stabbed four times and died in his blood-covered flat in Page Heath Villas.Housebound Mr Edwards, 59, was stabbed four times and died in his blood-covered flat in Page Heath Villas.
Health worker Mr Bevan managed to flee the attack and alert neighbours.Health worker Mr Bevan managed to flee the attack and alert neighbours.
He was stabbed and slashed but his life was saved when he received open-heart massage at the scene.He was stabbed and slashed but his life was saved when he received open-heart massage at the scene.
Mr Bevan told the court how he went to the kitchen after hearing his partner's terrified cry to see Kilcullen with a "face full of hatred" and a knife in his hand.Mr Bevan told the court how he went to the kitchen after hearing his partner's terrified cry to see Kilcullen with a "face full of hatred" and a knife in his hand.
They were forced to lie on the floor and Kilcullen began stabbing them.They were forced to lie on the floor and Kilcullen began stabbing them.
David Kilcullen attacked his victims in their home
Mr Bevan said: "I remember the initial impact into my skin and the soreness and my head was spinning.Mr Bevan said: "I remember the initial impact into my skin and the soreness and my head was spinning.
"I thought 'My God. I have to get out of here or I will die'.""I thought 'My God. I have to get out of here or I will die'."
He said in an impact statement: "This mindless act of violence has robbed Gerry and me both of our lives.He said in an impact statement: "This mindless act of violence has robbed Gerry and me both of our lives.
"He did not deserve to lose his life in such an evil and shocking way nor did I deserve to have my life affected in such an enormous way.""He did not deserve to lose his life in such an evil and shocking way nor did I deserve to have my life affected in such an enormous way."
The court was told that Kilcullen had previously talked of the men's relationship in a "distasteful" way.The court was told that Kilcullen had previously talked of the men's relationship in a "distasteful" way.
And in a drunken 999 call the day after the attack he referred to the couple in a homophobic way.And in a drunken 999 call the day after the attack he referred to the couple in a homophobic way.