'Jealous' cruise ship singer jailed for 16 years after killing and raping wife at knifepoint in Moss Side home
A Moss Side cruise ship singer is being jailed for killing and raping his wife at knifepoint after finding out she was having an affair while he was in the Caribbean.
Melvyn Edwards, 59, of Great Western Street, was sentenced to 16 years in prison after being found guilty of two counts of rape and the manslaughter of mother-of-three Juliet Edwards, 48.
A post mortem revealed Mrs Edwards died from a single stab wound to the neck.
Sentencing Judge Andrew Gilbart QC, told Edwards: “When you were away working abroad, you discovered that all was not well with the relationship.
“As can happen, she was keen on having some independence. She sought friendship elsewhere, including in an affair with another man. You were understandably upset.
“But let us be clear about this. Many men and women have to endure the discovery that their husband, wife or partner is no longer content with the relationship they have.
“Many are jealous or unhappy. But what the law cannot and will not permit is the use of violence, which is what you used.
“You went back to her house in the early hours of the morning, let yourself in, armed yourself with a knife, and went upstairs to insist that you had sex with her.
“In my judgement she died because that blade entered her neck as she sought to turn away from your sexual advances. In other words she died as the result of a rape at knifepoint by you in her own bedroom.
“You then left her to bleed to death before returning and eventually trying too late to put right what you had done by summoning help. Had you sought help earlier, one cannot know, but she might well have lived.”
Her children said: “No sentence in the world could ever give us back our mother. The sentence of 16 years passed today is of no comfort to us and we are simply left numb.
“It does however provide some form of closure for us, her children, and the rest of the family in so far as everyone now knows the truth of what Melvyn Edwards did to our mother.
“We can now finally allow our mum to rest in peace.”
Edwards was originally arrested on suspicion of Section 18 Assault but after Juliet’s death in hospital he was arrested and charged with murder.
Following medical examinations of Mrs Edwards’ body, he was subsequently charged with rape.
It later emerged that Mrs Edwards had confided in family members in relation to a number of domestic violence incidents and that Edwards had raped her in May 2011.
Her family had urged her to contact police but Juliet, instead of making a complaint to the police, ended her marriage.
The abuse was later disclosed to detectives by family members following her death.
Detective Chief Inspector Joanne Rawlinson said: “This is a very sad and tragic case that has understandably left a family truly devastated.
“During their relationship, Juliet was raped and suffered a number of domestic violence incidents.
“She found the strength to leave her abusive relationship and end her marriage, making it clear that there was no chance of reconciliation.
“This unfortunately led to a further rape and her unnecessary death and reflects the kind of controlling and violent person Melvyn Edwards is.
“I hope this sentencing can go some way to helping Mrs Edwards’ loved ones get their lives back on track and feeling that some kind of justice has been served.
“I would ask anyone who has been a victim of rape or sexual assault to contact Greater Manchester Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. GMP has specially trained officers in place to provide a first class response to victims and help support them through the criminal justice process.”
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