Lauren Harris, 29, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for the brutal murder of her “sugar daddy,” Mark Wilcox, 64. Harris and her accomplice, David Webster, 43, were convicted of the murder which occurred in Colwyn Bay, North Wales, in June of last year.
Wilcox, a grandfather of nine, had invited Harris to live in his basement after he expressed a desire to care for her. Despite being separated from his wife, Marcia Wilcox, he lived in the same house for about a decade. Tensions escalated, leading to frequent police calls from Marcia due to the ongoing conflict and abuse that ensued.
Marcia Wilcox described the situation as a “coercive mess,” highlighting the constant shouting and screaming that plagued her living situation.
According to the court, Wilcox had generously lent Harris money, and by his death, over £12,000 had been withdrawn from his account.
The tragic events unfolded after Harris invited Webster and Thomas Whiteley, 33, to the home for a drug and alcohol-fueled gathering. When Harris discovered there was no money left in Wilcox’s accounts to fund their drug use, the situation turned violent.
Harris, described as acting “like a crazed animal,” attacked Wilcox with a knife, stabbing him twice in the chest. Webster then assaulted Wilcox with a vodka bottle, causing severe injuries.
Following the attack, Harris and Webster stole Wilcox’s Volvo, which they crashed before being apprehended. Wilcox was found with multiple injuries, including broken ribs and a stolen watch. He had also been punched, kicked, and stamped on.
Harris and Webster were both sentenced to life imprisonment for their roles in the murder. Whiteley was acquitted of all charges. During the trial, Harris was heard singing Shania Twain’s “Man! I Feel Like a Woman” as she was brought into court, while Webster disparaged her with derogatory remarks.
Judge Pepperall noted that the murder may have been driven by anger over Wilcox’s depleted financial resources. Prosecutor Andrew Ford KC highlighted Harris’s prior convictions, including a knife-related assault in 2022.
His family remembered Wilcox as a “generous” and “kind” man with a history of helping others in need. His sudden death prevented him from meeting his ninth grandchild. Justice Pepperall emphasized the brutality of the crime and the only available legal punishment, life imprisonment, for both Harris and Webster.
