Man who killed his stepfather and family dog jailed for life

A man who killed his stepfather and family dog has been jailed for life.

Armed officers attended the house in Valley Road, Shirebrook, following the call to the force at 8.20pm on Wednesday 22 October 2025 and arrested a 19-year-old man on suspicion of murder.

The victim of the assault, 57-year-old Christopher Owen of Valley Road, Shirebrook, was found to have suffered a number of stab wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. Also found deceased at the scene was a Jack Russell dog that had also suffered stab wounds.

Logan Procter was charged with the murder of Mr Owen – as well as causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal in relation to the death of the dog and was remanded in prison. However, the charge relating to the killing of the dog has been subsumed into the murder charge.

Procter pleaded guilty to the murder charge and was sentenced at Derby Crown Court today (17 April).

During the hearing the court heard that Procter, now 20, had made several lists of people which the prosecution detailed as “kill lists” – of which Mr Owen was top. Also included on the list was his mother, another family member, and a number of others known to him.

It also heard that he had searched the internet for different ways in which to kill and extreme sexualised content.

The court heard that Mr Owen had suffered more than 70 stab and slash wounds – with more than 50 being concentrated around his head, neck and face during the attack that started as he slept in bed. The fatal blows were stab wounds to his neck and chest that severed the internal jugular vein.

Such was the force used to stab him that two vertebrae were chipped and the first knife which was taken from the kitchen he used bent, meaning a second weapon, a combat knife, had to be used to continue the assault.

The court heard that the attack took place between five and seven minutes with Mr Owen fighting back, with defensive injuries seen on his arms and hands. The court heard that, despite the number of injuries, Mr Owen did not die immediately, and it would have taken some time for him to succumb to his injuries.

Poppy, the family dog, was found with Mr Owen – with Procter explaining how she had screamed a lot as he stabbed her 15 times.

After the killing Procter undressed, placed his bloody clothing in a washing basket and took a shower before ringing 999.

Procter explained to police that he had killed both Mr Owen and Poppy and that he thought that the killing would a thrill – but that it had not been what he expected.

In interview Procter gave no comment interviews – and made no explanation as to why he carried out the attack.

But the court did hear that Mr Owen was an entirely innocent party – and that he had not done anything to warrant the attack.

In his sentencing, Judge Shaun Smith explained the impact of the killing, with Mr Owen’s family now grieving a second brother who had been murdered after Mr Owen’s sibling Andrew was killed in Dudley in 2007.

Procter’s mother explained in her victim impact statement how she had lost everything dear to her – both her partner and her son.

The court heard that, following his remand to prison, Procter was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, mood disorder, and borderline learning disability.

Jailing Procter for life, HHJ Smith determined that he must serve a minimum term of 20 years and 132 days before being eligible for release.

Detective Inspector Kane Martin, the officer who led the investigation, said: “The murder of Christopher Owen has devastated his family and friends and throughout this investigation seeking the truth for them has always been our focus.

“During the hearing they heard evidence of the brutal attack that Mr Owen was subjected to – and I want to commend them for how they have conducted themselves both today and throughout the investigation.

“What they will never know is why Mr Owen was killed as, while Logan Procter has taken responsibility for his murder, he has never given a reason for why he carried out the attack and it was made clear that Mr Owen was an entirely innocent victim who had done nothing to justify the attack.

“What is clear, is that Procter planned to kill Mr Owen and he did so in the most brutal of manners.

“His jailing, while ensuring that the public are no longer at risk from someone who is clearly a dangerous young man, will bring no comfort to Mr Owen’s family and friend, in particular for his mother who has lost both her partner and her son.”