Adam David Wright has been jailed for life after murdering his 77-year-old grandmother-in-law, June Henty, in Wickham. The 39-year-old will serve a minimum term of 24 years before being eligible for parole.
Wright, formerly of Grovers Field in Bishop’s Waltham, appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court on 27 November following his guilty plea to murder. Officers were called to Mrs Henty’s Wickham home shortly before 8am on 23 December 2023, where she was discovered with more than 100 lacerations to her face and body following a knife attack.
Mrs Henty sustained haemorrhages from major blood vessels in her head and neck, along with a bleed to the brain. Despite spending six months in intensive care, she died from her injuries on 14 June 2024. Dr Basil Purdue’s post-mortem examination determined the cause of death as delayed effects from multiple sharp force injuries.
Wright was arrested on the day of the attack after Mrs Henty identified him as her attacker to officers. He was initially charged with attempted murder and remanded in custody. Following Mrs Henty’s death, the charge was upgraded to murder on 6 January, to which he pleaded guilty at Portsmouth Crown Court on 27 February.
At sentencing on 27 November in Case number 44PC1072023, Adam David Wright was jailed for life with a minimum term of 24 years. Having already served two years in custody, he will serve a minimum of 22 years before parole consideration.
Mrs Henty’s family described her as “a kind and loving lady who always put her family first”. They said: “Our beautiful mum June was brutally taken away from us and as a family we are heartbroken. She enjoyed life to the fullest and always loved being around her family and friends.
“Mum was a pillar of strength and always stood up for what she believed in, even through the toughest of times. Our lives will now never be the same without her. Even though there has been some justice today, it will never be enough.
“She was our world and we were hers. We have lost the heart of our family and we feel broken without her”.
Detective Inspector Tim Judd, the senior investigating officer, said: “This result comes from the tragic loss of June Henty. She had done nothing to deserve the abhorrent violence she endured that morning, and my thoughts remain with her family.
“June fought for six months, and thanks to her we were able to identify her attacker as Adam Wright. Although no sentence will ever return June to them, I hope knowing that the man responsible is behind bars will provide them some closure”.
