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Former hairdresser sentenced to life after stabbing wife
Former hairdresser Michael Pyke, 79, stabbed his wife Beryl Pyke to death after she refused a cuddle, court hears.
In brief
Former hairdresser Michael Pyke, 79, stabbed his wife Beryl Pyke to death after she refused a cuddle, court hears. Michael Pyke, 79, received life imprisonment after murdering his wife Beryl Pyke, 84, in a stabbing that followed years of domestic abuse. Originally reported by Dailymail.
Michael Pyke sentenced
Michael Pyke, 79, was sentenced to life imprisonment after murdering his wife Beryl Pyke, 84, at their home in Aldwick, West Sussex, in May 2026.
“A man who violently abused his wife for decades stabbed her to death after she refused to cuddle with him, a court has heard.”
Years of domestic abuse
Pyke, a former hairdresser, began years of domestic abuse against Beryl when he turned 60, leading to repeated violence and breaches of restraining orders.
“Pyke, a former hairdresser, stabbed Beryl to death in a 'terrifying and sustained' attack which followed years of domestic abuse against her that began when he turned 60.”
Murder timeline
The murder occurred between 10:30pm on Saturday, May 30, and 2:00pm on Sunday, May 31, 2026, after the couple attended a friend's house.
“The court heard the couple spent the evening at a friend's house together on Saturday, May 30, with the murder occurring between 10.30pm that evening and 2.00pm on Sunday, May 31.”
Murder scene details
Crime scene investigators found Pyke had showered and cleaned the scene, with a blood-stained knife in a bedroom and black trousers with blood stains.
“Crime scene investigators found the property to be very clean and indications that Pyke had showered after the killing and cleaned up the scene.”
Post-mortem findings
Beryl Pyke had 11 stab wounds and defensive injuries, with the knife measuring 8cm in length, indicating she anticipated a blow.
“A post-mortem examination found 11 stab wounds and defensive injuries which showed Ms Pyke anticipated a blow from the knife, measuring at 8cm in length.”
Pyke's confession
Pyke confessed to his cousin Roger Taylor that he killed Beryl after she told him to 'f*** off out of my bedroom' when he asked for a cuddle.
“Pyke initially confessed to his cousin, Roger Taylor, that he killed his wife, telling him he went into her separate bedroom and asked for a cuddle, where she told him to 'f*** off out of my bedroom'.”
Pyke's criminal history
Pyke had 47 convictions for 80 offences between 2008 and 2022, including 13 for violence against people and 26 for harassment breaches of restraining orders.
“Pippa McAtasney KC, prosecuting, told the court he already had 47 convictions for 80 offences between 2008 and 2022.”
Previous violence
Pyke stabbed a friend and neighbour in 2008 after Beryl had gone to their house to avoid his drinking, leading to a 10-month prison sentence.
“He had also served a number of stints in prison, the longest for 10 months in 2008 for stabbing a friend and neighbour who walked Ms Pyke home in July 2007, after she had gone to their house to avoid her husband's drinking.”
Defence arguments
Pyke's defence claimed he was a 'happy family man' until turning 60, when he became a 'teetotaller' who became 'addicted to alcohol' and started violent behavior.
“Defending Pyke, Martin Rutherford KC said a 'really bizarre' feature is throughout his adult life, until turning 60, he was a 'happy family man with no previous convictions recorded against him'.”
Police statement
Sussex Police Detective Sergeant Elliott Lander described Pyke's actions as 'cruelly' taking Beryl's life and showed no remorse while in custody.
“Following the sentencing, Sussex Police Detective Sergeant Elliott Lander said Pyke 'cruelly' took Ms Pyke's life in the home they shared.”
Family impact
Pyke's son and wife attended court but did not make a victim statement, stating they 'cannot put into words the impact this had on the family'.
“Pyke's son, who attended court with his wife, did not make a victim statement. Instead, it was heard 'they cannot put into words the impact this had on the family'.”
Judge's remarks
Judge Jeremy Gold KC described Beryl as 'defenceless' and stated Pyke intended to kill her with 'no mercy' in the 'terrifying and sustained' attack.
“Sentencing, Judge Jeremy Gold KC described Ms Pyke as 'defenceless' against her husband, who regularly subjected her to 'domestic abuse and violence' in the last decades of their marriage.”
Pyke's remorse
Pyke made comments in police custody saying 'F*** this life, I want to die' and 'Dead forever, dead forever, thank f****** god for that'.
“Pyke was then arrested, with police body-worn camera footage recording him saying: 'F*** this life, I want to die' and 'Dead forever, dead forever, thank f****** god for that'.”
Minimum sentence
Pyke received a life sentence with a minimum term of 15 years at Hove Crown Court after pleading guilty to Beryl's murder in October 2026.
“On Friday, the father-of-two was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 15 years at Hove Crown Court after he pleaded guilty to her murder in October.”
Rehabilitation efforts
Pyke's defence noted he had a history of homelessness and self-destructive behavior, but he was a 'teetotaller' until turning 60.
“Another relevant factor in the case, he added, was Pyke was a long-term 'teetotaller' who became attracted and 'perhaps addicted to alcohol'.”
Family's reaction
Beryl's family expressed shock and grief, with her son stating he 'cannot put into words the impact this had on the family'.
“Pyke's son, who attended court with his wife, did not make a victim statement. Instead, it was heard 'they cannot put into words the impact this had on the family'.”
In short
Michael Pyke, 79, received life imprisonment after murdering his wife Beryl Pyke, 84, in a stabbing that followed years of domestic abuse.
