A man has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for the manslaughter of his wife,

A MAN HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO 11 YEARS IN PRISON FOR THE MANSLAUGHTER OF HIS WIFE,

A man has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for the manslaughter of his wife, Simone Grainger, whose battered and strangled body was found wrapped in a rug in their kitchen.

Steven Grainger, aged 32, claimed he acted in self-defence, alleging that his wife tried to stab him during a domestic row.

The judge, Justice Mr Knowles, acknowledged that Mrs Grainger, aged 30, was initially the aggressor but stated: "I'm sure you battered her." Grainger was acquitted of murder but convicted of manslaughter.

His wife's body was discovered at their home in Reading by a family member on 4 November.

The court heard that Simone had been subjected to a sustained and prolonged assault involving blows, punches, and strangulation, with the Judge commenting that Grainger used force far beyond reasonable.

The trial revealed that the couple often bickered, with arguments worsening after Mrs Grainger found out about her husband's drug use.

Grainger, who claimed he found her dead the morning after an argument and tried to hide her body to protect their young daughter, was given an 11-year sentence.

During sentencing, the judge emphasized that Simone should have been safe in her home and that her murder was brutal.

Family members expressed devastation, with a cousin stating: "Not only have you taken Simone's life away, but you have destroyed ours.

You will never be forgiven." A family statement added: "We are haunted by the thought that someone she loved and trusted could inflict such brutality on her and the family she was trying to protect." The article includes images of Simone Grainger and her family, highlighting the tragedy of her death.