SHEILA LOCKRIDGE SENTENCED IN GRISTHORPE FOR MANSLAUGHTER OF PARTNER

Sheila Lockridge, a 66-year-old woman from Gristhorpe, has been convicted of manslaughter in connection with the death of her long-term partner, Dianne Williamson. Williamson, aged 70, was found deceased at a residence in Gristhorpe on September 2. Lockridge admitted to police that she had strangled Williamson, stating straightforwardly, "I strangled her, she's dead." The prosecution at Leeds Crown Court accepted a plea of manslaughter by diminished responsibility, resulting in Lockridge being sentenced to an eight-year prison term.

Court proceedings revealed that Lockridge's relationship with Williamson had become increasingly tense and aggressive. Witnesses described incidents where Lockridge reportedly chased Williamson around the kitchen holding a knife, with Williamson pleading, "please don't kill me." On the night of the incident, Lockridge had consumed between six and eight pints of beer along with two rums before attacking Williamson.

A police spokesman characterized the act as "a brutal and tragic end to a 30-year relationship in which Dianne Williamson suffered at the hands of Lockridge." Lockridge maintained that Williamson had been aggressive towards her prior to the attack, stating she had restrained her partner by pinching her. The court also took into account Williamson's fragile health and poor condition at the time, acknowledging she was suffering from ill health during the incident.