A husband who murdered a popular primary school teacher after she confronted him about making indecent images has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 23 years.
Adam Parkin, 35, stabbed wife Julie 23 times at their home in Kirkwall Close, Sunderland, in June, after his shameful secret came out.
The Crown Prosecution Service worker packed a suitcase and was thought to be leaving the marital home but instead he grabbed a 20cm-long kitchen knife and launched a savage attack in their living room.
Julie Parkin was stabbed 23 times by her husband Adam (Northumbria Police/PA
His frenzied attack to her head, neck and chest caused the tip of the blade to snap and it was left in her forehead.
He then dragged her into the kitchen where he left her face down.
He also attempted to murder another person, who cannot be named, before speeding off in the family Mazda and driving to a police station where he confessed.
Newcastle Crown Court heard how Parkin was controlling and aggressive towards his wife.
She had discovered he had a sexual interest in a child and that he had made indecent images.
After his work trip to London, she confronted Parkin about the discovery and the two left the house to talk things over.
Adam Parkin was jailed for life with a minimum of 23 years for the murder of his wife Julia (Northumbria Police/PA)
Robert Smith QC, prosecuting, said within 12 minutes of them returning from the talk, Parkin had murdered his wife and fled.
Parkin later told police: “She was so sad when she found out what I really am.
“I should have killed myself. What is wrong with me? There is something wrong with me.”
Police later found search terms on his computer such as “Cambodia child abuse”, “teacher sexually assaulted” and “teacher viewing porn”.
They also found three indecent videos on his phone.
Detectives found Mrs Parkin’s computer had accessed pages such as “what to do if you don’t feel loved enough in your relationship”, “top five signs your husband is demanding and controlling” and “fight for your marriage when your husband is emotionally distant from you”.
The court heard how the mother-of-two’s murder devastated her pupils at West Boldon Primary School.