Murderer John Grimwood was jailed for a minimum of 20 years after admitting fatally stabbing his girlfriend in a row over tobacco.

MURDERER John Grimwood has been jailed for a minimum of 20 years after admitting fatally stabbing his girlfriend in a row over tobacco.

Grimwood, a 29-year-old street drinker, formerly of Canham Street, Ipswich, knifed Alison Studd in the leg in the kitchen of a house in Withipoll Street, Ipswich, on January 26.

The pair had a history of domestic violence, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

The murder, to which Grimwood pleaded guilty, came less than two hours after he slashed another women four times with the same craft knife, attacking her from behind.

The court was told Grimwood had previously pleaded guilty to wounding Carrie Talbot with intent outside the former Odeon cinema at Major’s Corner, Ipswich.

Grimwood was said to have attacked Miss Talbot as revenge for his arm being broken by someone she knew.

He was also given ten years to run concurrently for wounding with intent.

The minimum term Grimwood will serve in jail is part of a mandatory life sentence for murder.

Police had been contacted by the ambulance service shortly before 7.30pm on January 26 following reports that a woman had been injured inside a house on Withipoll Street.

Officers arrived and found the 36-year-old victim, of Pauline Street, with serious leg injuries. She was conveyed to Ipswich Hospital, but died from extreme blood loss the following day.

Senior Investigating Officer, DI Kevin Hayward of the joint Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team, said: “Today’s sentencing brings to a conclusion this tragic case. The family of Alison Studd have had to deal with the loss of a family member, and the reality of her street-drinking lifestyle and that of her boyfriend and friends.

“Suffolk Police takes pride in keeping people safe and serving all of our communities in a fair and respectful way that builds trust and confidence. The street drinking population in Ipswich is small but its impact can be disproportionately high. Police in Ipswich and Street Rangers deal with street drinkers on a daily basis.

“Multi agency work is ongoing to look to reduce anti-social behaviour within this community and to provide advice, guidance and support to those that seek to enhance their quality of life and progress. It is so important that the street drinkers work with us and our partners to solve their problems and bring about sustainable solutions. However, where offences are discovered these will be dealt with appropriately.

“Alison’s death had an impact on the community of Ipswich. The guilty plea is a testimony to the determination and professionalism of those involved and I would like to thank them for their hard work and dedication in bringing this case to a satisfactory conclusion.

“We can only hope that today’s sentencing will provide some satisfaction and closure to Alison’s family, and that they can now find a way forward in dealing with their loss. The sympathies of myself, and my officers and staff remain with Alison’s family at this time.

“The sentence today will see John Grimwood removed from Ipswich for a number of years. This will make Suffolk and particularly the town of Ipswich a far safer place.”