KILLER Brian Cox apologised from the dock to his victim’s family as he started a life sentence for the murder of York father-of-five Mark Webb.

Cox, 29, no fixed address, had denied slashing Mr Webb’s throat but was convicted by a jury at Leeds Crown Court. A judge yesterday ordered him to serve 18 years, minus 265 days spent on remand, before he can apply for parole.

Mr Justice Foskett told Cox his “misguided, immature and macho attempt” to show his girlfriend Susan Webb he could protect her had ruined many lives including his own.

He had deliberately armed himself with a Stanley knife before going out to confront her husband Mark Webb, 40, of Cornlands Road, Acomb, the court heard.

“What you did was dreadful and has had dreadful consequences,” the High Court judge said.

“One of the great sadnesses of this case is that so many children have had their lives affected by the tragedy.

“The repercussions of that moment of madness will be felt for many years to come.”

When Cox was eventually released, he would have the chance to talk to or meet his son.

The judge said: “That opportunity no longer exists for Mark Webb and his children will not be able to re-establish contact with him.” The killer thanked the judge for the sentence.

“I would like Mr Webb’s family to know I am very sorry,” he said. “You have your life,” one of Mr Webb’s family called out.

Cox said: “I understand they hate me. I can truly, truly understand that. I am deeply, deeply, deeply sorry for what I have done. When I go to sleep at night I see and feel pain. That is going to be with me for the rest of my life. I am deeply, deeply, sorry.”

Susan Webb, 30, of Middleton Road, Acomb, will be sentenced next month after the jury convicted her of perverting the course of justice twice to protect her boyfriend.

The judge said Cox had initially wanted to calm the situation down after she and Mark Webb exchanged a series of “hateful” text messages and phone calls, but she had provoked the fatal confrontation by shouting at her estranged husband.

He told Cox other people at the murder scene should have taken responsibility for getting medical aid to Mr Webb. The jury heard Susan Webb rang 999 immediately after the attack, but did not ask for an ambulance or mention injuries, her friend Kerry Munton saw the attack and Ms Munton’s partner Paul Quinn was also present.

The judge specially commended PC Simon Fennell, of York police. He was called to deal with a domestic dispute, but then followed a trail of blood to Mr Webb’s body and started the murder investigation.

Det Sgt Mark Jackson, Det Con Carol Kirk, Det Con Michael Avison and Det Con Adam Heatlie of York CID were also commended.