Harrogate woman jailed for manslaughter after stabbing husband in argument

A woman identified as Kimberley Flintoft, aged 32, from Kirkham Road, Harrogate, was sentenced to 40 months in jail after pleading guilty to manslaughter. The incident occurred on 18 July in their home when Flintoft stabbed her husband, Lee Flintoft, 39, in the chest with a knife following a violent altercation. According to the court, their relationship had been volatile and marked by domestic abuse for approximately 16 years. On the night of the incident, both had been drinking separately, and after her husband hit her while she was preparing sandwiches in the kitchen, she lost her temper and retaliated by stabbing him. The court heard that she immediately called emergency services and admitted her actions. Judge Peter Collier QC cited substantial provocation and stated that she 'snapped' after years of built-up tension, with her stabbing being 'one downward thrust.' Flintoft was told she must serve half her sentence before being eligible for parole. A statement from her husband's family highlighted a history of domestic abuse, with the family remarking that Lee Flintoft would never have reported the abuse, which has now resulted in tragedy.