Drunk thug, 44, who stabbed his flatmate in a 'brutal' attack before threatening to 'slash police to pieces' and telling them his victim 'deserved it', faces life in prison

A drunken thug who stabbed his roommate to death in a “brutal” attack has been sentenced to life in prison.

Frank Wrona, 44, stabbed his flatmate Richard Chamberlain multiple times in their home in Colne, Lancashire, on March 31 this year.

Preston Crown Court heard that when a Lancashire Police officer first entered the building, Wrona was still in his bedroom – the scene of the fatal stabbing – and could be heard shouting: “Come in here and I'll cut you to pieces.”

Wrona, who was drunk and found to have consumed a significant amount of cocaine, told officers at the scene that Chamberlain, 34, “deserved it.”

He claimed that this was because Mr Chamberlain had stolen money from him.

Wrona, who was drunk and had taken a significant amount of cocaine, told officers at the scene that 34-year-old Mr Chamberlain “deserved it.” He claimed this happened because Mr Chamberlain had stolen money from him.

Unfortunately, Mr. Chamberlain died shortly afterwards from the numerous stab wounds.

At Preston Crown Court this morning, Judge Robert Altham sentenced Wrona to 16 years in prison. He was told he must serve a minimum of 16 years before being eligible for parole.

DCI Andy Fallows, of Lancashire Police's Force Major Investigation Team, said: “My thoughts today are with Richard's devastated family and friends who have sat in court hearing the horrific details of how their loved one's life ended so unexpectedly and violently.”

“This was a callous and cowardly attack on a defenseless victim. There is no justification for such spontaneous and excessive violence. After the gruesome attack, he did nothing to help Richard and continued to threaten emergency services with violence.

“Although no sentence can ever make up for the killing of a human being, I hope Richard takes some comfort in the fact that Wrona will spend a significant amount of time in prison. Before he is released, he must convince the parole board that he is not a danger to the public.”

At Preston Crown Court this morning, Judge Robert Altham sentenced Wrona to 16 years in prison. He was told he must serve a minimum of 16 years before being eligible for parole (symbol image).

In a statement on behalf of his family regarding the victim's fate, Richard's father Ian said: “March 31, 2024 and Easter Sunday will always bring deep sadness and a day that changed the lives of our families forever.”

“Few people will ever understand how devastating it is to have two police officers knock on your door late on a Sunday night. The utter heartache and the daze and numbness that follows can never be adequately described.

“Richard's kidnapping in such a brutal and heartless manner will haunt us forever. He did not deserve this and we did not deserve to lose our son/brother in this horrific way.”