Samuel Dewulf killed Justin Green in 'inexplicable' attack

Samuel Dewulf fatally stabbed Justin Green, 48, in a flat in Braddock Court earlier this year on April 29.

The 43-year-old initially denied the charge of murder but changed his plea to guilty on the fourth day of the trial on Thursday, October 24.

Judge Dugdale sentenced Dewulf a few hours later. 

READ MORE: Samuel Dewulf trial for murder of Justin Green

Back in April, Dewulf and Dean Caparn visited Mr Green at his flat in Chapel Gate just before 6pm.Inside the flat, the pair found Mr Green and Jonathan Hasmi, who allegedly owed Mr Capran £40.

After a small fight broke out between Mr Capran and Mr Hasmi, the court heard that Dewulf began to get 'aggressive' and picked up two knives. He told the men in the flat that he had "a good mind to stab one of you in the leg to show you I'm not f***ing about, that I'm not taking s***." 

Samuel Dewulf has been jailed for life (Image: Hampshire Police)

He then stabbed Mr Green in the thigh and left the flat, he momentarily returned to collect his phone and he was asked to call 999, he replied: "F*** him."

Mr Capran called for the emergency services, and even attempted CPR but was unable to save his friend. 

Winchester Crown Court heard how Dewulf made clear attempts to destroy any evidence of his involvement, by leaving his clothes in Stratfield Road woods and instructing his roommate to dispose of the trainers he was wearing away from his home address, while he bathed.

He was eventually arrested and charged with murder on May 2. 

Prosecuting, Nick Haggan KC said: "The defendant has never offered any explanation for why he stabbed Justin Green in the matter and circumstances in which he did, the murder appears to have been motiveless."

'My life turned upside down forever'

Mr Green's daughter, Ella Mae, read out her witness statement to the court. She said: "We would talk every day for hours, sometimes even three or four times a day. We were forever laughing. 

"Then my life turned upside down forever when I got the phone call he had been stabbed. My best friend has been taken from me, I will cry every day, wishing it was not true. 

"Sam, you promised me you would protect my dad three days before you did this, yet you chose to pick up the knife and take my dad from me. Why?"

Mitigating, Jeremy Wainwright KC, told the court that the defendant had struggled to understand what had happened back in April. He said: "He felt Justin Green was a good friend of his and he has been unable to accept what he did that day, but he is very remorseful."

'What made you carry out such an extreme act on this day remains a complete mystery' 

Delivering his sentencing remarks, Judge Dugdale said: "Leanne Brown describes [Justin] as being no angel at times but having a heart of gold. All speak of how, after some difficult times, he had become a great source of support and love to them and their extended family.

"There is an overriding sense from these three personal statements of time and love that had been found, perhaps somewhat later in life, with a father and a brother, and a great hope of more to come which has now been taken from them.

He added: "I do not accept that remorse is a relevant mitigating feature in the case. Mr Dewulf ignored requests to call for assistance after the stabbing. Until 24 hours ago, he was still blaming an innocent man for causing the injury."

Addressing the defendant, he said: "You stabbed him severely once to the leg, causing his death within minutes. You left him in a pool of blood making no effort to help him or call for assistance when his desperate need would have been obvious to you.

"The attack was wholly unprovoked and wholly inexplicable. What made you carry out such an extreme act on this day remains a complete mystery."

As the sentence was read out, Dewulf remained unemotional in the dock. Judge Dugdale sentenced Dewulf to life in prison with a minimum term of 15 years. 

'This was a senseless and despicable act of violence'

Detective Inspector Howard Broadribb said: “Our thoughts, first and foremost, are with the friends and family of Justin Green.

“This was a senseless and despicable act of violence which resulted in a much-loved father losing his life. It paints the very stark reality of the immeasurable pain and suffering caused by knives and weapons.

“I hope that today’s sentence helps Justin’s family rebuild their lives and that they are able to feel a small sense of comfort that justice has been delivered. They now know that Samuel Dewulf will spend a long time in prison for what he has done.

“Tackling serious violence is a key priority for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary and I hope that today’s sentence gives victims confidence to come forward and talk to us.”