Tri-Service

Soldier Jailed For Life For Stabbing Ex-Girlfriend To Death

A British soldier who stabbed his ex-girlfriend to death in a frenzied attack has been jailed for life.

Josphat Mutekedza, a private in the Territorial Army, stabbed Bupa nurse Miriam Nyazema multiple times in the face and chest.

The attack took place after Mutekedza ‘lay in wait’ for the nurse, having broken into her home in Rochdale in July last year.

She returned home with a male friend when the 36-year-old Mutekedza grabbed her around the neck and threatened her with an imitation gun.

He admitted killing the care home nurse but denied murder, claiming he was acting in self-defence.

He said Miriam had pinned him to the floor of the kitchen during a fight but he managed to pull a knife from a drawer before stabbing her. He added:

“I was just trying to get anything. I was on the floor and there was two of them. That’s when I stabbed Miriam. I don’t remember stabbing her more than once.”

The soldier, who was originally from Zimbabwe, was arrested at the scene in a blood-covered white shirt after calling 999.

He told the operators “I stabbed someone” and “she was cheating on me”.

Prosecutors had said the man with Miss Nyazema, Jacob Chigombe, was in a relationship with her but he denied this.

Matekedza was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 26 years by Bolton Crown Court.

Greater Manchester Police Senior Investigating Officer Duncan Thorpe said: “Josphat Mutekedza stabbed Miriam seven times in a jealous rage, causing injuries that proved fatal. He has now been convicted and sentenced for this senseless crime which has devastated Miriam’s family."

“Today he has rightfully been put behind bars for what he has done and I hope that the rest of the family can now try to move on from what has happened and start to rebuild their lives after their traumatic loss.”

Cover Image: Josphat Mutekedza Courtesy: GMP