Sheffield Crown Court: Husband jailed for murder after stabbing wife to death

Sheffield Crown Court heard on July 29 how Darren Youel, aged 54, of Rotherham Road, Monk Bretton, Barnsley, called 999 for an ambulance after he had stabbed his wife Julie Youel and himself at their home.

Prosecuting barrister Mark McCone said: “The offence took place on May 21, this year, when the defendant murdered his wife Julie Youel by stabbing her many times.

“There was a 999 call from the defendant at 1.03am saying, ‘can you send an ambulance, please, and police’, and he was asked if the patient was still breathing and he said, ‘I am the patient as well’.”

Youel also told the operator he and his wife had consumed too many drinks and things had been building-up between them for years, according to Mr McCone.

Police were led into the property by Youel who was bleeding from his neck and abdomen, according to Mr McCone, and the defendant was holding a knife handle.

Mr McCone said: “He said he had stabbed himself three times because he wanted to die because he was ashamed he had stabbed his wife in front of their daughters, but it is clear from the evidence that they were not present at the time of the stabbing.”

Youel also told police there had been verbal abuse in the relationship and he had made a stupid mistake by drinking too much. The couple’s daughters also confirmed their parents had argued.

Julie died from multiple stab wounds and was pronounced dead at her home after she had suffered 13 stab wounds to her torso, the court heard.

Her husband, who has no previous convictions or cautions, pleaded guilty to murder after the incident on May 21, 2022.

Defence barrister Nicholas Rhodes said: “They were in love with each other but could not live with each other. It’s deeply sad, deeply troubling for a family that was a loving family by all counts, not just from the accounts from the two sisters, but all the neighbours.”

He added: “It is fair to say that both of them could be cruel to each other and it does not matter who was more cruel but it is fair to say whatever was said to each other caused the defendant to lose control.”

Judge Jeremy Richardson QC sentenced Youel to life imprisonment and ordered him to serve a minimum term of 12 years and six months, allowing for time spent on remand, before he can be considered for release.

He told Youel: “You brutally stabbed her to death. You inflicted 13 stab wounds with a knife to her torso and a further injury to her elbow.

“She sustained massive blood loss and endured a collapsed lung.”

Judge Richardson said the situation between the couple had deteriorated during the Covid-19 pandemic and things were made worse when they both drank alcohol.

However, Judge Richardson acknowledged the murder had not been premeditated and he told Youel: “I have little doubt that you once loved your wife and it appears you brought up your children effectively and well. It was a loving family but arguments erupted.”