Owen Blades, a resident of Gainsborough, has received a life sentence with a minimum term of 35 years for the vile murder of John Connolly, a popular retired carer from Lincoln. Notably, Blades, aged 27, executed what was described by the court as a ‘sustained and violent assault’ on the 69-year-old victim two days after his release from prison on an assault charge in June 2024.
Lincoln Crown Court heard Blades, living on Tennyson Street, committed a sequence of crimes on 13 June. These involved stealing from a local Tesco store and assaulting an employee at an arcade, prior to burgling a residence on Portland Street. He subsequently targeted Mr Connolly’s household, where he delivered fatal knife wounds to the neck.
In his statement, Judge Simon Hirst signified that Blades demonstrated a considerable degree of planning. This included buying a knife before the attack, whilst also commenting on the atrocious nature of the crime, which involved at least 18 wounds. Despite the court being unable to identify a monetary motive for the murder, Blades’ intoxicated condition and previous criminal history were noted.
Mr Connolly’s family discovered his body five days after the murder occurred. Loved ones recounted Mr Connolly as a ‘deeply caring and affectionate individual’, who cherished his family. Blades, who professed to have no recollection of the attack, entered guilty pleas for charges of burglary, possessing an offensive weapon, theft, and inflicting severe bodily harm.
Judge Hirst demonstrated the severity of Blades’ actions, asserting that there was no certainty of release, even after serving the stipulated minimum term. This highlighted the immense impact on Mr Connolly’s family and the broader community.
