Gavin Shaw is in prison for the murder of his former partner, Michelle Kennedy. Shaw stabbed the 55-year-old woman twice in the chest with a kitchen knife at her home in Warrington on 13 October 2025, just months after she had ended their 12-year relationship. He was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on 2 April 2026 to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 14 years and 196 days before he can be considered for parole.

Who is Gavin Shaw?

Gavin Shaw was 61 years old at the time of sentencing in April 2026. He lived in Warrington and had been in a relationship with Michelle Kennedy for approximately 12 years. The couple had been married, and by all accounts their relationship was described in court as volatile and toxic. Prosecutors told Liverpool Crown Court that Michelle Kennedy had finally ended the relationship around three months before the fatal attack, and that she had been on the cusp of a new chapter in her life when Shaw killed her.

What Did Gavin Shaw Do?

On 13 October 2025, Gavin Shaw attended Michelle Kennedy’s home address on Manchester Road in Warrington. The two had separated approximately three months earlier. Shaw entered the property and, within minutes, stabbed Michelle Kennedy twice in the chest with a kitchen knife, causing catastrophic injuries. Ms Kennedy was rushed to hospital where surgeons worked to save her life, but the wounds she had sustained proved fatal. She died in hospital five days later, on 18 October 2025.

Court proceedings described Shaw as showing no remorse at the scene and appearing entirely unbothered by what he had done. The attack was characterised by prosecutors as a deliberate, targeted act of violence against a woman who had exercised her right to leave a controlling and toxic relationship.

What Happened at the Scene?

Shaw entered Ms Kennedy’s home and carried out the fatal stabbing in a matter of minutes. Despite the severity of her injuries, Michelle Kennedy survived long enough to be taken to hospital, where medical teams fought to stabilise her. However, the damage inflicted by the knife wounds was too severe, and she died five days after the attack. Shaw was arrested in connection with the attack and subsequently charged with murder.

The Court Case and Guilty Plea

Shaw appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on 23 February 2026, where he entered a guilty plea to the charge of murder. This meant that the case proceeded to a sentencing hearing rather than a full trial. On 2 April 2026, Shaw appeared again at Liverpool Crown Court to receive his sentence. During the hearing, the court heard victim impact statements from Michelle Kennedy’s family, who described the devastating loss they had suffered. Prosecutors outlined the toxic and volatile nature of the relationship and the cruelty of the attack, carried out against a woman who had simply tried to move on with her life.

What Sentence Did Gavin Shaw Receive?

Judge at Liverpool Crown Court sentenced Gavin Shaw to life imprisonment for the murder of Michelle Kennedy. The minimum term before Shaw can be considered for release on parole was set at 14 years and 196 days. This means Shaw must serve at least that period before the Parole Board can consider whether it is safe to release him. Given the nature of the offence — a premeditated domestic homicide against a former partner — the Parole Board would scrutinise any future application very carefully before granting release. Shaw was held on remand from the time of his arrest, and any time served on remand will be taken into account against the minimum term.

Michelle Kennedy: The Victim

Michelle Kennedy was 55 years old at the time of her death. Those who knew her described her as a woman who was finally beginning to rebuild her life after leaving a difficult relationship. Her family told the court she had been looking forward to a fresh start and that her death had left a profound void in their lives. The case highlights the devastating reality of domestic homicide in the UK, where women are disproportionately killed by current or former partners. If you have a loved one who is currently in custody, you can find guidance on booking a prison visit and sending money to a prisoner through this site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Gavin Shaw in prison?

Gavin Shaw is in prison for the murder of his former partner Michelle Kennedy, 55, who he stabbed twice in the chest at her home in Warrington on 13 October 2025. She died in hospital five days later and Shaw was subsequently charged and pleaded guilty to her murder.

What sentence did Gavin Shaw receive?

Gavin Shaw was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on 2 April 2026 to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 14 years and 196 days before he can be considered for release by the Parole Board.

Did Gavin Shaw plead guilty?

Yes, Gavin Shaw pleaded guilty to the murder of Michelle Kennedy at Liverpool Crown Court on 23 February 2026. The guilty plea meant there was no trial and the case proceeded directly to a sentencing hearing.

Who was Michelle Kennedy?

Michelle Kennedy was a 55-year-old woman from Warrington who had been in a relationship with Gavin Shaw for approximately 12 years. She had ended the relationship around three months before her death and was described by those who knew her as being on the verge of a fresh start in her life when she was killed.

When was Gavin Shaw sentenced?

Gavin Shaw was sentenced on 2 April 2026 at Liverpool Crown Court, approximately five and a half months after the murder of Michelle Kennedy on 13 October 2025.