Son killed parents before gig

A martial arts fan has been found guilty of murdering his loving parents in a frenzied attack just before going to a rock concert. Martial arts expert Michael Clarke, 21, stabbed his 70-year-old father Milroy and mother Joan, 56, to death at their house in Melksham, Wiltshire, on December 6, 2004. He then casually travelled down to London with three friends to watch a rock concert before returning home in the early hours of December 7, when he pretended to discover their bloodied bodies. Clarke, who claimed he had the 'perfect relationship' with his parents, was found guilty of two counts of murder by a jury at Bristol Crown Court. Clarke, who maintained his innocence throughout, showed little emotion as the foreman delivered the verdict. The jury, of seven women and five men, took more than 16 hours to find him guilty of two counts of murder by a majority of 11 to one. His friend Stuart Painter, 22, was accused of helping him dispose of the murder weapon and other incriminating evidence. But the jury failed to reach a verdict on one charge of assisting an offender. The jury will continue its deliberations tomorrow to try to reach a verdict on the charge against Painter as he was remanded in custody overnight. Clarke, who had built up a collection of more than 100 knives and weapons, stabbed his father, a former policeman, 17 times in the head, neck, chest and back. His wife, a child minder, was found with 14 wounds to her body. The five week-trial heard 'considerable force' was used in what was described as a 'savage, almost ritualistic killing'. Clarke, who was a black belt in several martial arts, murdered his parents just moments before he was due to set off to Wembley to watch US rockers Blink 182 in concert.

ITN | February 23, 2006

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