A woman who fatally stabbed her husband with a pair of scissors during an argument about housework has been sentenced to nine years in prison. Sandra Clinch, 49, from Cornwall, killed Alan Clinch on 13 May after losing her temper. A jury at Truro Crown Court found her guilty of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
Mr Clinch was flown by air ambulance to Derriford Hospital but died from his injuries. Sentencing Clinch, Judge Graham Cottle described her defence of accident as 'purely fanciful' and noted that she had a personality disorder affecting her self-control. The court heard she had been aggressive and violent towards previous partners and her children.
Clinch initially told a 999 operator she had 'stabbed him' in the chest. She later changed her account multiple times. Psychiatrists confirmed she had a personality disorder with uncontrollable mood swings. The court was told she had been married four times, with all relationships marked by violence, and had assaulted her own children.
Judge Cottle stated: 'You stabbed a previous partner with a carving knife and assaulted your children on a regular basis. He [Mr Clinch] was a meek, mild-mannered and gentle man who simply took what you handed out.' He added that Clinch intended to hurt her husband badly and embedded scissors in his heart. Det Insp John Ardron called it a 'needless attack' with fatal consequences.
