What started as a seemingly normal relationship between two people ended in a horrifying act of violence that left a community reeling.
Michael Ormandy, a 34-year-old man who once went by the fighting nickname “The Hitman,” has been sentenced to life in prison for the brutal murder of his girlfriend, Rebekah Campbell, in her Huyton flat.
The chilling moment of his arrest was captured on police bodycam footage — showing Ormandy walking along a canal in Merseyside, head in his hands, as four officers surrounded him.
Moments earlier, he had thrown his phone into the water in a desperate attempt to destroy evidence.
The Night Rebekah Was Killed
Rebekah Campbell, 32, was stabbed 18 times in a vicious attack inside her flat on April 15.
Witnesses said they heard her scream, “I’ve been stabbed,” before collapsing outside her building.
As neighbors rushed to help, she managed to utter a heartbreaking confession: “My fella stabbed me.”
Despite the best efforts of paramedics and police at the scene, Rebekah died in the early hours of the following morning, leaving behind devastated friends and family who described her as a warm and lively young woman.
A Relationship That Turned Toxic
The court heard that Rebekah and Ormandy had been together for around four months before things began to deteriorate.
Friends said the relationship had grown increasingly toxic, with Ormandy often calling her names and acting aggressively.
One friend, Josh Collins, told the court that Ormandy would insult Rebekah in public, calling her “a s**g” and staring at her across bars.
Another friend, Faye Henderson, was on the phone with Rebekah just before the attack.
During the call, Faye suddenly heard Rebekah shout, “Go away, get out, Mick,” followed by a loud bang and the sound of her puppies barking.
Moments later, Faye rushed to her friend’s flat, only to find a nightmare scene — Rebekah lying on the ground as emergency responders tried to save her life.
The Arrest and Trial
Ormandy, who denied murder and claimed self-defense, was quickly tracked down by police later that night.
At the time of his arrest, he reportedly muttered to officers, “This wouldn’t have happened if you did your job last week,” referencing an earlier altercation between the couple during a night out in Liverpool city center.
A jury at Liverpool Crown Court saw through his story, finding him guilty of murder after what prosecutors described as a “vicious” and “appalling” attack.
Judge and jury alike were unconvinced by his attempt to cast himself as the victim.
The Sentence and Police Reaction
Ormandy was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 24 years.
Detective Superintendent Ben Dyer, who led the investigation, said his thoughts remained firmly with Rebekah’s grieving family and friends.
“They have shown incredible courage and dignity throughout the trial,” Dyer said.
“To claim that his vicious attack was in self-defense and try to paint himself as a victim is utterly appalling. Our communities are safer with him behind bars.”
A Message to Victims of Domestic Abuse
In a powerful statement, Detective Dyer also urged anyone suffering from domestic abuse to come forward and seek help.
“Domestic abuse comes in many forms,” he said. “Whether it’s physical, psychological, sexual, or financial, no one should have to live in fear.
We take every report seriously and are here to support you and bring perpetrators to justice.”
He added that Merseyside Police remains committed to protecting women and girls, listening to victims’ voices, and breaking the cycle of abuse that too often leads to tragedy.