Former headteacher Rhys Hancock admits murdering wife and her lover on New Year's Day in Duffield

A former head teacher has admitted murdering his estranged wife and her lover after they were found fatally stabbed on New Year’s Day.

Rhys Hancock killed Helen Hancock, 39, from Duffield, Derbyshire, and Martin Griffiths, 48, from Derby, at their former marital home – before calling police to tell them what he had done.

Mrs Hancock, a PE teacher, and father-of-two Mr Griffiths were discovered with multiple stab wounds at the house, in the same town, after police were first called at 4.11am.

A court previously heard how Hancock’s mother, Denise Hancock, had told police that her son had found out on Boxing Day his wife was seeing another man, and it had left him in “some distress”.

The 40-year-old’s mother said her son had left her home, taking two knives with him, and that he seemed “calm”.

However, she was concerned he was going to do something because he said earlier said he “felt like killing them”.

Hancock’s mother gave the police operator Mrs Hancock’s mobile phone number, which was called but went to answer phone.

Prosecutor Jeanette Stevenson also previously told South Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court that the defendant rang 999 at 4.26am and told the police operator he was at the former marital home, that he had murdered his wife and Mr Griffiths, and said the children were safe at his mother’s.

A police dog handler was first on the scene, and immediately ordered Hancock to the floor before arresting him.

Both victims were found in a bedroom with multiple stab wounds.

Mr Griffiths had already died but paramedics battled for more than 15 minutes to resuscitate Mrs Hancock, but she died despite numerous attempts.

On Monday, Hancock admitted both murder charges in a virtual hearing at Derby Crown Court.

Judge Nirmal Shant QC took the unusual step of putting the charges to the defendant herself after problems with the court clerk’s microphone.

Paying tribute to Mrs Hancock, her family said in a statement: “The family are devastated at the loss of Helen, who was a lovely, beautiful, friendly, bubbly and social person.”

Mr Griffiths’s family also paid tribute, saying: “Martin was a lovely dad, husband, son, brother and uncle who had a passion for adventure, running and a love of animals.”

Hancock, formerly of Portland Street in Etwall, Derbyshire, will be sentenced at a date to be fixed.