'Savage' murdered friend in his own living room before trying to behead him in horror scenes

A killer who stabbed a man to death and then tried to behead him launched a desperate bid to cover his tracks. Matthew Jones murdered 39-year-old William Phelan in his victim’s own home in Harpurhey, north Manchester.

After the sickening attack, Jones left Mr Phelan’s body, and deliberately broke a key in the lock to the front door to hinder anyone trying to enter the flat. It was six weeks before the alarm was raised and Mr Phelan’s body was discovered, Manchester Crown Court heard.

Prosecutors were unable to say exactly when the killing occurred, only that it was sometime in January 2018. Jones, 45, went on trial accused of murder in 2021 and was found guilty.

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But he successfully appealed his conviction after his lawyers complained of a legal issue within the judge’s directions to the jury. Following a re-trial, Jones was convicted of murder for a second time.

He has been handed a life sentence, and ordered to serve a minimum of 20 years behind bars.

Murder happened in living room

Jones and Mr Phelan had both suffered from mental health issues and met together in hospital. When the pair had been discharged, Jones began spending time at Mr Phelan’s flat in Kilnside Drive. Sometime in January 2018, Jones stabbed Mr Phelan to death in his victim’s living room, knifing him eight times.

These injuries alone would have killed him, but Jones decided to continue his sickening attack. He almost beheaded his victim using the same knife, the court heard.

Jones later claimed he did it because he 'wanted to make sure that he was dead'. He then tried to clean himself in the bathroom.

He closed the internal doors to cover up the smell, locked the front door and broke the key in the lock as part of a ‘deliberate attempt to hinder anyone who wanted to enter the flat’ later. Jones wrote a note found in the hallway which said ‘gone on holiday’.

The police were called in after Mr Phelan's family and healthcare workers were unable to contact him. Officers forced entry into the flat on March 19, 2018, and discovered his body.

DNA evidence helped implicate Jones, with blood staining being found on bath taps. Days later, Jones was recalled to hospital and sectioned.

Police were only able to speak to him about a year later, when Jones had been deemed fit enough to be interviewed. Jones went on trial in 2021 and was convicted of murder. He was sentenced to life in prison, to serve a minimum of 20 years. But following his appeal a re-trial was ordered.

It lasted three weeks and concluded with Jones being found guilty of murder for a second time. Another judge has now imposed the same sentence on Jones.

'This was a brutal and savage attack'

Sentencing, Judge Alan Conrad KC said: “This was a brutal and savage attack. Mr Phelan had suffered for a long time from mental illness, but he was regarded as gentle and kind-hearted, not at all a violent man, who was loved by his family and well liked by others who knew him.

“He lived a modest life, and he was peaceful and inoffensive, finding enjoyment in music.” Defending, Phil Bradley KC said that Jones has been a 'desperately ill man over the years'. Mr Bradley said: "He is frightened of his own delusions when he is not medicated."

After the hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Nicola McCulloch, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “This has been a traumatic six years for William’s family, who have not only had to suffer such an inconceivable loss, but also patiently wait for justice. They have shown such tremendous bravery and dignity throughout and I hope that today’s verdict offers them some closure on the worst time of their lives.

“This was a tragic case where a man murdered someone who was supposed to be his friend and left their loves ones with such insufferable consequences. This investigation by its nature has had delays and setbacks but our dedicated team have ensured throughout that no stone has been left unturned and that justice is ultimately delivered for the family and loved ones of William, who will never be forgotten."