Clair was never one to shy away from a debate. In fact, she relished the chance to engage in a lively discussion and was often determined to have the last word. Friends and family members would roll their eyes and affectionately tease her for her unwavering conviction, but Clair never backed down. In this article, we’ll explore the psychology behind wanting to have the last word and how it impacted Clair’s life.
On November 5th, 2023, a skydiver, Ashley Kemp, 55, was accused of murdering his freefall instructor girlfriend, Clair Armstrong, 50, following an argument over alleged rape accusations. Prosecutors alleged that Kemp strangled Armstrong after she became “hysterical,” headbutting her repeatedly before choking her to death. While Kemp admits to the act of unlawful killing, he denies any involvement in murder.
The argument began in Armstrong’s bedroom and escalated over the course of the day. Kemp claimed that Armstrong liked to have the last word, making it difficult to reason with her. The prosecution described how Kemp had “snapped,” leaving Armstrong gasping for air in a wardrobe wearing her dressing gown.
After the murder, Kemp waited for hours before calling emergency services, leaving Armstrong’s front door open. Jurors at Grimsby Crown Court heard how the emergency services found Armstrong’s body lying in bed beneath the covers. Resuscitation was not attempted because she was already dead, with rigor mortis setting in.
When he called 999 to report the murder, Kemp told the call handler, “I’ve killed my girlfriend… She is upstairs on the bed in the main bedroom. We just had an argument, that was all, and it just got heated. She just started thrashing out and I just reacted. I pinned her down and just choked her.”
Kemp was arrested by police on a grass verge several miles from Armstrong’s house after crashing his car into a tree. The court heard that he had driven through fog after drinking wine and taking painkillers in an attempt to take his own life earlier that night.
Kemp denied that the argument was violent at first, but then Armstrong grabbed some black bags, and he “jumped out of bed.” He claimed that she became “hysterical” and advised him to leave, but he told her to relax and not to think about the bail being extended.
The defendant then revealed that Armstrong pushed him and hit him, and he leaned forward to headbutt her. He added that he “wanted her to stop and calm down” and that he “squeezed her throat as hard as he could until she stopped struggling.”
Kemp also stated that Armstrong still had some breath left in her when she was struggling for air in a cupboard at the end of the bed, but she subsequently stopped breathing. During his 999 call, he mentioned that he had pinned her down, but he denied this later on.
The case was adjourned until Thursday when Kemp is expected to give his evidence.
The case is a tragic example of how domestic violence can quickly escalate, and the importance of seeking help promptly. Those who feel affected by the issues raised by this article can call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch for confidential support.
