Dad-of-five killed in frenzied stabbing attack after row over stolen bottle of vodka

A dad-of-five was repeatedly stabbed to death in a “savage” and frenzied attack after a row over a stolen bottle of vodka.

Matthew Sheridan, 30, was found guilty of murder on Thursday after he killed Louis Bednall in front of his friends.

He was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court on Friday to life in prison and told he must serve a minimum of 24 years before he is eligible for parole.

The victim, 40, suffered 14 separate injuries and was taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol in the early hours of Saturday, December 12 last year.

But despite the efforts of medics, he died a short time later.

The court heard that on the night of the murder, Louis had travelled from his home in Devon with a friend to stay with other pals in Yeovil, Somerset.

Verbal dispute over stolen bottle of vodka

On the way, they stopped off in Newton Abbott to buy alcohol, including a bottle of vodka.

After arriving at his friend's flat, they went to a local shop to buy food.

While they were out, Sheridan, who was staying with a friend in the same apartment block, went into their flat via a roof and stole the bottle of vodka.

After returning from the store, there was a brief verbal dispute between Louis and Sheridan about the stolen alcohol.

A short time later, Sheridan, of South Petherton, Somerset, went down to the flat where Louis was staying armed with a knife and once inside, stabbed him repeatedly in the head, neck and shoulders.

Video footage, released by police after the trial, shows Sheridan getting worked up before going into the flat where the fatal attack was carried out.

‘Relentless and savage attack’

Senior Investigating Officer DCI Phil Walker said: "This man carried out a relentless and savage attack on Louis Bednall in front of his friends. The level of explosive violence he used in those moments beggars belief.

"Afterwards, he returned to his friend's flat and recorded a series of videos which were posted on social media.

"A further video, which was not posted, depicts a man who was callous and remorseless in the aftermath of the horrific act he had just committed.

"He has refused to take any responsibility for his actions, instead trying to blame someone else and repeatedly telling lies in a vain attempt to evade justice.

"A significant investigation was carried out resulting in 200 hours of CCTV camera footage being viewed, 231 statements taken and 611 exhibits seized.

"Louis was a loving and caring family man. A father and grandfather who went out of his way to help others and made friends wherever he went; his death leaves a huge gap in the lives of many.

“It was Louis' determination to diffuse a situation and protect the friends he was visiting that has sadly cost him his life.”

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