Morrison Jailed For Life For Model Girlfriend Murder

Ricardo Morrison, the boyfriend of a model who was stabbed to death in Greater Manchester, has been sentenced to life in prison of her murder.

The 22-year-old will serve a minimum of 24 years following his conviction after an 11-day trial at Manchester Crown Court.

Morrison used a six-inch kitchen knife to attack 19-year-old Amy Leigh Barnes, who was left to die in a pool of blood at her grandmother's in Farnworth, near Bolton, Lancashire.

Miss Barnes was found bleeding to death by her father in November 2008.

A jury convicted Morrison following an 11-day trial at Manchester Crown Court.

Morrison's mother, PC Melda Wilks, who let him wash his bloodstained clothes at her home, was found not guilty of assisting an offender.

During the three-week trial, the 22-year-old stabbed Miss Barnes nine times, and with such force that her liver had been perforated.

The 19-year-old who had appeared in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks and modelled in Playboy, Cosmopolitan and Nuts, made a 999 call and told the operator: "I have been stabbed. I can't breathe. I have been stabbed."

The operator asked her who had stabbed her and she replied: "My boyfriend", the court heard.

Mr Justice MacDuff described Morrison as "dangerous beyond words" during sentencing.

"You are an evil man with nothing to commend you. You are the worst type of bully, a bully who will hit and injure anyone who gets in his way."

He added: "This victim was trapped and defenceless and your attack on her was brutal and violent almost beyond imagination."

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Andy Peach said: "This was a brutal murder.

"Morrison repeatedly stabbed the person he was supposed to love, causing the horrific injuries that ultimately led to her death."

He added: "We don't think it is the first time Morrison hurt Amy. I hope this encourages anyone who is a victim of domestic abuse to speak out.

See: Boyfriend Found Guilty Over Model Murder

(JM/BMcC)