Whitby woman jailed for life after murdering partner in heated row

WHITBY WOMAN JAILED FOR LIFE AFTER MURDERING PARTNER IN HEATED ROW

A WOMAN has been sentenced to life imprisonment after a jury convicted her of murdering her partner at their shared flat.

Rebecca Dormer, 23, stabbed Gareth Matthews, 32, once in the chest with a kitchen knife during a heated argument at their home in Whitby.

The knife pierced his heart and extended into his liver.

Dormer had admitted to manslaughter, but the jury found her guilty of murder at Leeds Crown Court on August 22.

Judge Peter Collier QC sentenced her to serve a minimum of 16 years, subtracting 180 days already spent in custody on remand.

The judge explained that Dormer picked up a kitchen knife with a seven-and-a-half inch blade and stabbed Mr.

Matthews in the chest, transecting a rib cartilage, cutting through the heart's apex, and ending in the liver.

Mr.

Matthews died from blood loss at their Spring Hill Court flat, where police found Dormer trying to help him by pressing socks to the wound.

It was acknowledged Dormer suffered from a personality disorder, but the jury did not accept this as diminished responsibility.

The incident was considered not premeditated despite a history of violence between the couple, and CCTV footage showed Dormer was intoxicated that night.

Defense lawyer Paul Greaney QC argued that Dormer did not intend serious harm, describing the act as a 'sudden explosion of violence' and adding she was remorseful.

After the trial, the victim's father, John Matthews, expressed grief and hope for peace, thanking police and community support.

Detective Chief Inspector Keith Ruff stated the trial's outcome might help the Family's process of rebuilding their lives and praised Whitby's residents for their support during the investigation.