A HORRIFIC killer who bludgeoned his wife and a passer-by to death in his underpants has been jailed for life.

Daniel Appleton, 38, dragged his wife Amy out of their home in Hazel Way, Crawley Down, near Crawley.

Neighbours described the horrific scene, as Appleton looked like the “Incredible Hulk” who was “on another planet”.

He attacked primary school teacher Amy, 32, and when neighbour Sandy Seagrave, 76, tried to intervene, he grabbed her walking stick and bludgeoned them both to death.

Appleton may have taken 25I-NBOMe, a powerful hallucinogenic drug.

The Argus: Police at a scene in Hazel Way, Crawley Down, West Sussex, where two people are feared dead after a reported stabbing. PA Photo. Picture date: Sunday December 22, 2019. See PA story POLICE Crawley. Photo credit should read: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire.Police at a scene in Hazel Way, Crawley Down, West Sussex, where two people are feared dead after a reported stabbing. PA Photo. Picture date: Sunday December 22, 2019. See PA story POLICE Crawley. Photo credit should read: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire.

At Lewes Crown Court Mr Justice Nicholas Hilliard QC jailed Appleton for life over the incident in December 2019.

He said the killer will spend a minimum of 26 and a half years behind bars before he can be considered for parole.

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The judge told him that this was "not a case of insanity".

He added: "I sentence you on the basis that you took a new psychoactive substance and under the influence of this committed these murders.

"Anyone who takes new psychoactive substances, which are Class A drugs, is interfering with their own mental processes and responsible for the consequences."

The Argus: Daniel Appleton has been found guilty of the murders of his wife and a pensioner in Crawley DownDaniel Appleton has been found guilty of the murders of his wife and a pensioner in Crawley Down

Amy Appleton's mother Linda Remon faced her daughter's killer in court as she described the "uncontrollable distress and despair" her family have experienced.

She said: "One moment we were looking forward to a special Christmas and new year and the next our world came crashing down around us. Our lives were turned catastrophically upside down in the most dreadful way possible.

"Not only has this devastated family and friends but the lives of 30 children she was teaching at the time."

The Argus: BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE Undated handout photos issued by Sussex Police of Amy Appleton, 32,(left) and Sandy Seagrave, 76, who were both killed outside a semi-detached house in a quiet street in Crawley Down on 22 December 2019. Daniel Appleton, 38, is charBEST QUALITY AVAILABLE Undated handout photos issued by Sussex Police of Amy Appleton, 32,(left) and Sandy Seagrave, 76, who were both killed outside a semi-detached house in a quiet street in Crawley Down on 22 December 2019. Daniel Appleton, 38, is char

Previously witnesses said Appleton was clad in only his boxer shorts during the attack.

Dog walker Janet Spragg said Appleton had made a nightmarish “victory speech” where he said: “You think I’m a f***ing nutter. I’ll show you.”

Ms Spragg said the killing was “senseless” and described the scene: “It was horrific.”

The Argus: ALLEGED CRAWLEY DOWN DOUBLE MURDERER DANIEL APPLETON.ALLEGED CRAWLEY DOWN DOUBLE MURDERER DANIEL APPLETON.

Susan Kipps said she saw Appleton pacing naked on the driveway. She told police: “He seemed very agitated and angry.

“He was sort of puffed up and behaving totally differently. His eyes weren’t right.

“It was as though he had turned into the Incredible Hulk. He looked like he was on another planet, like he had lost the plot. He looked big, bold and scary.”