Collin Reeves

Collin Reeves served in the Royal Engineers from 2002, to 2017, and served in Afghanistan from 2008-2009.

His wife, Kayley, would later say "he never really spoke about his time there, but he was different when he came back".

Reeves was in a constant battle with his neighbours, Stephen and Jennifer Chapple, over parking spacers in front of the houses in Dragon Rise, Norton Fitzwarren, Somerset.

21st November 2021, after a row with his wife, which resulted in her suggesting a trial separation, Reeves took the ceremonial dagger that he had been given when he left the army, climbed the neighbours fence, entered through the back door and stabbed them both to death.

33-year-old Jennifer was found with six stab wounds to her upper body, causing fatal injuries to major blood vessels and her heart. Her 36-year-old husband, Stephen Chapple, was found close to the back door and had also suffered six stab wounds, as well as other minor injuries.

After the stabbings, Reeves climbed back over the garden fence and phoned the police to tell them he had stabbed his neighbours.

After his arrest, he was taken to the local police station, he appeared confused and gave his name at the police station as "Lance Corporal Reeves, sir" as well as repeating his military service number.

6th May 2022, at Winchester Crown court, appearing via video-link from HMP Exeter, where Reeves is being held on remand, Collin Reeves denied the murder of his neighbours Stephen and Jennifer Chapple but admitted their manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.

The prosecution told the court the pleas were not acceptable by the Crown and there would be a trial, trial set for 8th June at Bristol Crown court.

8th June 2022, Mr Reeves, aged-35, admitted manslaughter on the grounds of Diminished Responsibility,  but denied murder - blaming his actions on acute post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Thursday 16th June 2022, a forensic psychiatrist confirmed in the witness box that Reeves was not suffering from acute PTSD. At 3:10pm the jury was sent out to consider verdicts.

Friday 17th June 2022, at Bristol Crown court Reeves, the jury returns, a  is found guilty of double murder.