Spalding murder investgation was 'drawn out for families due to Wayne Rule's refusal to accept responsibility'

Police investigating the murder of Darren Kirk and the attempted murder of another was 'wholly avoidable without the use of knives' by Spalding man Wayne Rule.

Wayne Rule (46), of Cygnet Court, was told earlier today that he faces a life sentence after admitting the murder of Darren Kirk (52) and trying to kill another in December 2021.

Det Chief Inspector Andy McWatt said the investigation was drawn out due to 'Rule's refusal to accept responsibility'.

He said: "In December 2021 we were faced with a death and the attempted murder of another men which would have been wholly avoidable without the use of knives by Rule.

"He went to the addresses of both of these people and carried out his attacks.

"This has been a long investigation and something which has been further drawn out for the victims' families due to Rule's refusal to accept responsibility.

"We are very pleased that today he has now admitted the charges of murder and attempted murder and will be sentenced by the courts later this month."

Officers say Rule fatally stabbed Mr Kirk and attempted to kill another man in his 40s following a disagreement over drugs.

Police were called to a property in Bowditch Road, Spalding, at 12.26am on December 20 after receiving reports that a man in his 40s suffered stab wounds.

They found the victim with multiple injuries in a bedroom, and administered first aid before he was taken to hospital.

He named Rule as his attacker.

Then, less than an hour later at 1.10am a second call came that a stabbing had taken place at Cygnet Court in Spalding.

Officers were immediately dispatched, and found Mr Kirk injured in the kitchen.

He was sadly pronounced dead at 1.56am despite the best efforts of all those on scene.

Wayne Rule was quickly identified as the suspect in that incident.

Following several hours of negotiation by specialist officers at his address, which was also at Cygnet Court, he was arrested by 7am that morning.

Today is the first time he has pleaded guilty for the murder of Darren Kirk and the attempted murder of the man in his 40s.

The case was heard before a High Court judge sitting at Lincoln Crown Court this afternoon.