'If I can't have her, no one can' - Redditch man jailed after murdering ex-partner
A Redditch man has been jailed for over 15 years after killing his ex-partner in a violent knife attack.
Last updated 21st Jul 2025
A Redditch man has been jailed for over 15 years after murdering his ex-partner in a violent knife attack last year.
Christopher Hemming, 47, and Cheryl Mckenna, 44, had been in a relationship for almost 14 years before they split at the beginning of 2024.
However, on 11 November 2024 - and on learning about her new relationship - Hemming stabbed Cheryl multiple times at the home they still shared on Other Road.
After the attack, he called a friend of Cheryl’s using her phone, where he stated, “I wish the camera worked on this phone so I could show you what I’ve done”. He then called emergency services where he calmly told the call taker “I’ve killed my ex-partner”.
Emergency services rushed to the address where efforts were made to save Cheryl’s life, but sadly her injuries were so severe that she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Hemming was arrested inside the address on suspicion of murder and later charged with the same offence.
Despite initially admitting to police that he had killed Cheryl, Hemming then entered a not guilty plea to murder at court and instead pled guilty to manslaughter. However, on the fifth day of the trial, he changed his plea to guilty of murder.
Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Lougher said: “We welcome today’s sentence as Hemming is an incredibly dangerous and manipulative individual, who has shown no remorse for his unforgivable actions.
“It is clear to us that the attack on Cheryl intended to kill her after he realised their relationship had ended, and he couldn’t bear to see her happy with someone else. It was simply a case of 'if I can’t have her, no one can'.
“What Hemming did that day was a purely evil crime, and despite admitting to the killing Cheryl when he called police, he then chose to enter a not guilty plea at court."
DCI Lougher added: “I want to pay tribute to Cheryl’s family who lost a mother, daughter, sister and aunt at the hands of someone who was once supposed to love and protect her. The loss they have felt, and will continue to feel, is unimaginable and I hope that today’s sentencing will allow them for some closure moving forward.”
Hemming has been sentenced to 15 years and 117 days in prison.
A man kills a woman every three days in the UK, and violence against women and girls makes up just under 20% per cent of all recorded crime in England and Wales.