A 51-year-old Newent woman who stabbed her abusive partner to death has been sentenced to prison for seven years three months.

Desperate Joanne Williams feared she was about to be raped when she plunged a knife into 43-year-old Marc Hastings’ heart as he lay in her bed demanding she take off her clothes off, a court was told on Tuesday.

The pair were together despite Williams obtaining a non-molestation order to keep Mr Hastings, from Berry Hill, away from her.

After inflicting the fatal blow on Mr Hastings, Williams rang 999 and told an operator "I’ve just killed someone. I stabbed him. I made sure it was in the heart."

In sentencing Williams Mr Justice Dingemans said he was sure she had an intention to kill Mr Hastings when she stabbed him.

"In my judgement Ms Williams’ mental responsibilities for her actions were significant, albeit substantially impaired," he said.

"There was provocation which had continued for a very long period of time. Although she had been able to get a non molestation order and get him removed from her house in the past Mr Hastings always returned.

"This case has been a tragedy for all concerned in the relationship, which was toxic."

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