Cheating husband who admitted he was ‘evil bad man’ after stabbing wife 17 times to death is GUILTY of murder
A CHEATING husband who stabbed his wife to death before making a chilling confession in a WhatsApp group is facing jail.
Former squaddie Phillip Dafter, 32, knifed 36-year-old Diana 17 times so hard the blade broke off from the handle.
He then stabbed himself in the stomach before boarding a train to London where he told a conductor he was “an evil bad man.”
Dafter also messaged a WhatsApp group, saying: “Boys and D. Going to jail. I have killed Diana Dafter today.”
He has now been found guilty of murder after previously pleading guilty to manslaughter.
Northampton Crown Court was told Dafter was arrested at London Euston station after the horror where he was treated for life-threatening injuries.
Dafter told British Transport Police officers he had killed his wife before cops discovered her body at the family home in Northampton.
The couple, both from Malawi, met in the UK where they got married and settled into family life.
Gordon Aspden, prosecuting, said: “To the outside world everything would have appeared unremarkable about the family.
“However, behind the scenes things were very different.”
In the months leading up to the killing, Dafter had become depressed and dissatisfied with his life with Diana.
The couple were then left teetering on the verge of divorce after Diana discovered her husband had been cheating.
On October 7, 2022, CCTV of Diana’s final moments showed the mum returning home before “all the resentment and bitterness boiled over”.
At around 9.20am, a neighbour bumped into Dafter who was described as being his “normal, happy, smiley self”.
He then drove to a nearby Asda where he purchased a set of kitchen knives before returning home.
Once inside, Dafter drank whiskey then stabbed himself several times as Diana lay dead near him.
He then drove to Northampton Railway Station and bought a ticket to London Euston where he was arrested.
Dafter wept as the court was told how Diana suffered 17 stab wounds and cuts on her fingers that suggested she tried to defend herself.
Mr Aspden said: “This must have been a terrifying final ordeal for that woman.”
Dafter later told a psychiatrist the killing was a “moment of madness that I will have to live with for the rest of my life”.
He claimed he and his wife had argued that morning over their car’s MOT and he recalled Diana telling him that she would forgive him as he attacked her.
Detective Chief Inspector Adam Pendlebury, of Northamptonshire Police, said after the case: “I am really pleased that Phillip Dafter has been found guilty of murder today and that the jury did not accept his plea of manslaughter.
“This was an extremely violent and prolonged attack that could not have come about without a very real intention to cause Diana serious harm.
“It is important to remember Diana Dafter for who she was. And that is so much more than just Phillip Dafter’s wife.
How you can get help
Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
“She was a loving mother, daughter and friend. A student nurse with a real passion for care, hardworking, and someone very easy to get along with.
“Though today’s verdict will be a small comfort to her family and those who loved her, I hope it will help to know that Phillip Dafter is now facing an exceptionally long stretch in prison for what he has done.
“Finally, I would like to thank everyone at Northamptonshire Police for their work on this investigation as well as our colleagues at the British Transport Police for their assistance.
“Together we have secured justice for Diana and put Phillip Dafter where he belongs – behind bars.”
The court heard Dafter admits manslaughter but David Nathan, defending, will seek to argue loss of control and diminished responsibility.
The trial continues.