Cleveland, England, has gained notoriety for having the highest homicide rate in England and Wales, according to recent data. Teesside Live reported a surge in homicides, including incidents of murder and manslaughter, over the past three years following a decline during the initial outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the 2022/23 period, Cleveland recorded a homicide rate of 19.3 per million people, surpassing the national average of 10.9.
Despite Cleveland’s smaller population compared to other regions, the police force reported 13 homicides in the past year. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) data also revealed that Cleveland leads the UK in overall crime and violent crime rates per 1,000 population. Additionally, the region was noted for having the second-highest rate of knife attacks.
One notable case highlighted by Teesside Live is the murder of Antonino “Nino” Calabro, 26, and his fiancée Francesca Di Dio by Andrea Cardinale in a shocking incident in Stockton. The murderer, suffering from undiagnosed paranoid schizophrenia, carried out the brutal killings after a delusional belief that his victims had cursed him.
Cardinale’s father discovered the gruesome scene and alerted authorities, leading to Cardinale’s arrest. He later pleaded guilty to manslaughter due to diminished responsibility and received a sentence in October 2023. The court acknowledged his severe mental illness at the time of the crime and ordered his treatment in a secure hospital facility.
Another chilling case involved Dave Thompson-Love, who brutally murdered his friend Maurice ‘Moza’ Bennett in a vicious attack using various weapons. Thompson-Love was sentenced to life in prison for the heinous crime, leaving Mr. Bennett’s family devastated by the loss.
Dean Williams was another convicted murderer sentenced to life in prison for killing his friend Ian Macneil during a dispute over drugs. Williams’ violent actions resulted in the tragic death of Mr. Macneil, causing immense pain for his loved ones.
The article also details the case of child killer David Boyd, who murdered seven-year-old Nikki Allan over 30 years ago. Boyd evaded justice for decades but was finally convicted and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term. The heart-wrenching impact of Nikki’s murder on her family was described in court, highlighting the enduring pain and anguish they have endured.
In a separate incident, a family feud turned deadly as Marie Metcalfe was sentenced to life in prison for fatally stabbing her older sister, Laura Metcalfe, following a long-standing dispute. The tragic event shattered the Metcalfe family, leaving them to grieve the loss of a beloved daughter, mother, and sister.
These cases represent the grim reality of violent crimes that have plagued Cleveland, England, prompting calls for justice and reflecting the devastating impact on families and communities affected by such tragedies.