GRAHAM GIBSON FROM MIDDLESBROUGH SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR MANSLAUGHTER IN TEESSIDE

Graham Gibson, a 47-year-old resident of Middlesbrough, has been convicted of manslaughter and received a life sentence following the tragic death of his former partner. The incident occurred in July at a location on Cherwell Terrace, Middlesbrough, where the victim, Christine Henderson, aged 50, was discovered at a friend's house. Ms Henderson was known to be a mother of three and had previously ended her relationship with Gibson, which appeared to have been a source of ongoing tension.

Gibson, who hails from Kent Avenue in Hartlepool, maintained during the trial that he did not intend to kill Ms Henderson, instead describing his actions as occurring in a moment of '60 seconds of madness.' Despite this, the court found sufficient evidence to convict him of manslaughter rather than murder. The judge at Teesside Crown Court sentenced Gibson to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of seven and a half years before he could be considered for parole.

During the proceedings, it was revealed that the fatal assault was triggered by a heated argument between Gibson and Ms Henderson. Witnesses and evidence indicated that the confrontation escalated rapidly, culminating in a brutal, frenzied, and sustained attack. The jury was informed that Gibson claimed Ms Henderson had been taunting him about a previous partner, which he cited as a motive for his violent outburst. The court's verdict reflected the severity of the attack, which was characterized as both savage and unprovoked, leading to the conviction of manslaughter and the subsequent life sentence for Gibson.