Babysitter, 53, stabbed couple to death after night out while their young child slept

Kate Buck
Stanley Elliot has bene jailed for a minimum of 34 years for stabbing to death a couple while their son slept in the next room. (Hampshire Constabulary)
Stanley Elliot has been jailed for a minimum of 34 years for stabbing to death a couple while their son slept in the next room. (Hampshire Constabulary)

A 'trusted' family friend who stabbed a couple to death while babysitting their son has been jailed for life.

Stanley Elliott, 53, murdered Geoffrey and Michelle Hibbert at their home in Basingstoke on 20 June last year, after the pair returned home from a night out.

The couple had asked Elliott to look after their little boy, who was was sleeping in the next room as his parents were killed.

Mr Hibbert, 61, died of 58 stab wounds and blunt force injuries, while Mrs Hibbert, 29, died of multiple stab wounds and was found lying partly naked on her bed.

Elliott has been ordered to serve a minimum of 34 years behind bars.

The couple went out for drinks the night they were killed while Elliot looked after their son (Hampshire Constabulary)
The couple went out for drinks the night they were killed while Elliott looked after their son. (Hampshire Constabulary)
(Hampshire Constabulary)
They had 'trusted' him to look after their little boy, Winchester Crown Court was told. Seen on CCTV before their murders. (Hampshire Constabulary)

A jury had been told that the motive for the killing may have been a previous argument between Elliott and Mr Hibbert.

The jury was played a “harrowing” 999 call made by Mrs Hibbert using the defendant’s mobile phone.

She told the operator “Stan Elliott” was attacking her and was heard saying: “Someone has just stabbed me and stabbed my husband. I’m in my house.”

Mrs Hibbert is then heard screaming before shouting: “No, no, please. I have got to look after (my son). Please.”

Elliott was also linked to the murders by blood found on his motorcycle, which he rode home on.

(Hampshire Constabulary)
Elliott was also linked to the murders by blood found on his motorcycle, which he rode home on. (Hampshire Constabulary)

Speaking during the sentencing, Chris Henley QC who represented Elliott during the trial, said the court "will never know" the events that lead to the death of Mrs and Mr Hibbert, adding that people can only "speculate" what happened during those 20 minutes on June 20.

Sentencing them, the judge said: "This must have been the most dreadful and terrifying of deaths for Geoff and Michelle.

"You had armed yourself with a kitchen knife and used it again and again and again on your friends.

"They each knew you were stabbing their spouse."

Police forensics at the scene in Buckland Avenue, Basingstoke, Hampshire, after a man in his 60s and a woman in her 20s, whom had sustained serious injuries,were pronounced dead at the scene on Sunday. A 52-year-old was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody. Picture date: Monday June 21, 2021.
Police forensics at the scene in Buckland Avenue where the pair were killed. (PA) (PA)

After the hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Tina Lowe said: “Our thoughts, first and foremost, are with the families and friends of Geoffrey and Michelle Hibbert.

“This was a senseless and horrific incident which resulted in two people losing their lives and a young child losing his parents.

“I hope Geoffrey and Michelle’s family will be able to feel a small sense of comfort that justice has been delivered and that Stanley Elliott will spend a long time in prison for what he has done.

“Parts of the investigation were particularly harrowing and I would like to commend my staff for handling the case professionally and with the victims at the forefront of their minds throughout.”

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