Man killed his wife by stabbing her 78 times

A man who told police he had "disposed" of his wife after stabbing her 78 times has been convicted of her murder.

Robert Alexander, 66, killed Christina Alexander, 60, at their home in Dosthill, Tamworth in June 2025.

He told a jury at Stafford Crown Court that he had acted in self-defence.

After killing her, he changed his clothes, put the bins out, and sat in the lounge with his dogs before calling 999.

"It's all to do with money, dictating to me how I spend my inheritance," he told police.

"She came into my life about eight years ago with nothing."

Prosecution counsel Rebecca Wade KC said he told officers: "I've disposed of my wife."

Jurors heard Alexander previously put his wife in a headlock, strangled her and bit her cheek.

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He also threatened to kill a neighbour when they heard what was going on.

In another incident in June 2021, Mrs Alexander phoned 999 because she was frightened after her husband picked up an iron bar and waved it at her.

She told police she was living under the constant threat of violence from her husband.

It led to him being issued with a domestic violence protection order.

During his trial, Alexander claimed his wife had reached for a knife first and that he had acted in self-defence.

He also argued that depression and autism reduced his responsibility.

Narmina Rafiq from the CPS said: "This was a complex and challenging prosecution involving detailed psychiatric evidence and conflicting expert opinion about Robert Alexander's mental state.

"Alexander told different stories to different people and changed his version of events when it suited him.

"The jury carefully considered all of the evidence and rejected his claims of self-defence and diminished responsibility.

"We were able to demonstrate that his actions were driven by control, both over his wife and over money, and that his self-harm formed part of that pattern, rather than being the result of a serious mental disorder."

Alexander will be sentenced on a date to be confirmed.

(c) Sky News 2026: Man killed his wife by stabbing her 78 times