Killer of Swindon woman Shannon Stanley jailed for 17 years

Pablo Hoad, 28, repeatedly plunged a blade into the head and neck of Shannon, 27, at a flat they shared in Small Heath, Birmingham, on May 10, 2022. 

A court heard Hoad and his girlfriend had spent the evening with Shannon, who grew up in Swindon, before an argument "over nothing" broke out over her friend.

Hoad then dragged Shannon into the kitchen where he slammed her against the worktop before stabbing her at least 11 times.

Shannon's mum Jacqueline Lewis said in a statement: "She was my only daughter and after losing her my whole world came crashing down."

Hoad fled the address while friends called 999 but despite the efforts of medics, Shannon was pronounced dead at the scene.

Chilling audio footage captured Hoad calling emergency services to confess: “I’m the perpetrator, not the victim. I went too far."

"I'll be honest, I stabbed a girl through the throat. You know it's going to me so I thought I'd call up and tell you where I am."

Body-cam footage shows him being arrested at his home in Whitmore Road, Small Heath, where he admitted he had drunk 10 bottles of Stella and smoked cannabis.

Hoad was previously cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter and was jailed on Monday, April 16, at Birmingham Crown Court. 

Pablo Hoad (Image: SWNS)Sentencing, Judge Melbourne Inman KC said: "Shannon was 27 when you killed her and she had all the rest of her life before her. 

"I have read the moving statement from her mother. 

"She was her only child and no one can fully appreciate the depth of her grief in not sharing the future with her daughter." 

In a statement, Ms Lewis, the victim's mother, added: "He took her life and simply walked away. She had the rest of her life ahead of her. 

"I am tormented by what happened to her and think about her final moments all the time, how scared she must have been as she knew she was dying. 

Pablo Hoad being arrested (Image: SWNS)"What he did was cruel and I relive it over and over again. She was a feisty girl. He took my daughter's life and he took my life as well."

The court heard Hoad lived with his girlfriend, Maz Underwood, along with Shannon, who had a friend, Chris Wiliams, over that evening. 

But Hoad took exception to his presence, accusing him of being a snitch, which led to the fatal argument. 

The judge added: "There was an argument over nothing. 

Forensic tent at the scene of Shannon's death (Image: SWNS)"You accused Chris Williams of being a snitch to the police and you told him to leave which he did. 

"Shannon was angry that you had told her friend to leave her home and the argument then escalated. 

"Both of you were shouting and swearing at each other. In the kitchen, you picked up a kitchen knife and stabbed Shannon repeatedly. 

"Two stab wounds went through Shannon's neck and cut the carotid artery and jugular.

"An ambulance attended quickly and your girlfriend did the best she could to save Shannon's life but sadly it was not possible and she died before paramedics could help. 

A crime scene in place after Pablo Hoad stabbed Shannon Stanley to death (Image: SWNS)"This undoubtedly involved brutal violence with a knife. Shannon was both verbally aggressive and threatening but I am satisfied that at no stage did she confront you with a knife. 

"You were drunk and lost your temper. In a rage, you inflicted serious violence upon Shannon that caused her death. 

"I am satisfied that it was not planned or pre-meditated."

Richard Atkins KC, prosecuting, said Hoad had stabbed the victim at least 11 times in the head and neck who then fell on the floor with blood "pouring everywhere." 

Shannon asked Hoad's girlfriend to call for an ambulance while emergency services rushed to the scene. 

Mr Atkin added: "Unfortunately, there was little she could do due to the severity of the wound Shannon had sustained to her neck.

"She watched Shannon Stanley as her breathing got worse and then stopped.

Shannon Stanley (Image: SWNS)"He failed to call for any assistance until he knew that Shannon Stanley was dead. 

"He left the scene and walked back to his accommodation and was tracked." 

Peter Finnigan KC, defending, said: "What happened involved drink and drugs. 

"It was a sudden explosion of violence in that flat. He accepts causing the injuries causing the death of Shannon."

Detective Inspector Jim Mahon, from West Midlands Police CID, said: “Hoad lost control and repeatedly stabbed Shannon and although he claims he never meant it to get out of hand, he never sought any help for her. 

"Instead he ran home leaving Shannon fatally injured. 

“Shannon had many people who loved and cared for her. I hope that they can feel some sense of justice following this result at court.”