Woman gets nearly 6 years for killing ex

WOMAN GETS NEARLY 6 YEARS FOR KILLING EX

A woman who endured years of physical and sexual abuse has been sentenced to nearly six years in prison for the killing of a man who had shown her kindness.

Melanie Stevenson admitted to culpable homicide after stabbing 47-year-old Robert Brereton 26 times at her residence in Forfar in March.

Lord Kinclaven sentenced Stevenson, 45, to five years and 10 months.

During the sentencing at the High Court in Edinburgh, the judge stated: "This is a tragedy for all concerned." He added, "Tragically, you described him as your best friend ever.

You described him as a kind and caring person and his relationship with you was a supportive one." The court heard that Stevenson acknowledged her culpable homicide after psychiatrists found she was suffering from diminished responsibility at the time of the attack.

The victim, Mr Brereton, who was her former boyfriend, had traveled to visit her at her home in Forfar.

The court was told that Stevenson had no memory of the night of the incident.

Prosecutor Jennifer Bain said that following the stabbing, Stevenson jumped 15 feet from the window of her flat, breaking her hip.

Mr Brereton's family expressed criticism of the sentence as they left court.

His niece, Sharon Burns, aged 19, said: "I think it is scandalous that she has got away with it.

Basically, she has got away with murder."