Sandra Clinch Jailed After Killing Husband With Scissors

Woman Jailed After Killing Husband With Scissors

A woman has been jailed for nine years for killing her fourth husband with scissors after he ignored her orders to "tidy the house".

Sandra Clinch was said to have flown into a rage after her husband responded to her request for help by telling her to "shut up."

The mother-of-five told police she had thrown the scissors at her husband, but later changed her account, saying he had walked into the line of fire.

The fatal wound was caused by dress-making scissors, which were embedded up to 4in (12cm) into Mr Clinch's chest, having first pierced two layers of clothing before puncturing his heart and a lung.

Clinch had a history of violence against her former partners and children, and her eldest son told the court she would go into a "rage" when the "red mist" descended.

She had hysterically begged medics to save her 48-year-old husband but he was pronounced dead upon arrival at hospital, around midday on 13 May this year.

Sandra Clinch looked to the floor as the jury returned their verdict, dismissing her suggestion that American car enthusiast Alan Clinch's death was "a tragic accident".

The jury of six men and six women found Clinch guilty of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and not guilty of Mr Clinch's murder.

Judge Graham Cottle said: "The jury were satisfied that you were suffering from a personality disorder at the time you killed and it was that personality disorder that affected your ability to exercise self-control.

"It has been a regular feature during your life. The evidence established beyond doubt you have been aggressive, abusive and violent towards previous partners as well as your children.

"You stabbed a previous partner with a carving knife and assaulted your children on a regular basis."

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