SOLDIER PLEADS GUILTY TO MANSLAUGHTER OF WIFE, GETS FIVE YEARS
A part-time member of the Royal Irish Regiment who shot his wife through the head has been sentenced to five years in prison.Stephen Fulton, aged 54, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his wife, Corien, at their home at Old Rectory Heights in Cookstown on 4 June of the previous year.
Court proceedings at Omagh Crown Court, which is based in Belfast, revealed that Fulton shot his wife once in the head inside their bedroom in their Co Tyrone residence.
Fulton was visibly distressed in court when he heard details of his wife's infidelity.
Monica McWilliams of the Northern Ireland Women's Coalition criticized the manslaughter verdict and the judge's comments.
The judge, Mr.
Justice Gillen, stated that he believed the defendant's actions were substantially impaired by a mental disorder.
He added: "I believe that it is against this background that the final straw which precipitated your taking your wife's life occurred when she removed her wedding ring in the bedroom." The judge suggested that this moment may have been when Fulton decided to shoot her.
He emphasized that killing a relatively young woman cannot be tolerated and that punishment was necessary despite medical reports and provocation.
The court acknowledged the 'measure of provocation' linked to the wife's threatened departure and her declaration of meeting another man while Fulton was at camp with the Royal Irish Regiment.
The judge also decided that Fulton should serve 12 months probation upon release, considering the 'explosive' nature of his act and the need to protect the public.
Defense lawyer Gregory Berry noted that Fulton had tried to reconcile and wanted to save the marriage, and that matters came to a head after a traumatic week, leading to the tragic shooting.
