DIONNE CHRISTIE SENTENCED FOR FATAL STABBING OF BOYFRIEND IN FALKIRK

A tragic and violent incident unfolded in Falkirk when a woman was convicted of causing the death of her boyfriend during a heated altercation inside her flat. Dionne Christie, aged 24, was found guilty of culpable homicide after a jury at the High Court in Stirling determined her responsibility in the death of Jevin Haig, her 21-year-old partner.

According to court proceedings, the deadly confrontation took place in Christie's housing association flat in Falkirk in June 2022. During the argument, Christie, who was approximately 12 weeks pregnant with Mr Haig’s child at the time, engaged in a physical struggle with him. It was during this altercation that Christie wielded a 12-inch hunting knife, which Mr Haig reportedly carried for protection, and struck him in the chest. The blow was severe enough to penetrate his chest cavity and puncture his heart, leading to his immediate death.

Jurors heard that after the stabbing, Christie did not call emergency services right away. Instead, she waited several minutes before dialing 999. When she finally contacted the authorities, she falsely accused Mr Haig of attacking her. She told the emergency operator, “He’s been trying to start with me, he’s smashed all my house and brought out a knife, a big knife. He’s got a stab mark right in the chest.” She also claimed, “It’s while we’ve been like, he was grabbing me, he had the knife in his pants, I don’t know how I’ve done this.”

When police officers arrived at the scene, Christie maintained her story, asserting that Mr Haig had stabbed himself. However, the prosecution, led by Graeme Jessop KC, argued that Christie’s actions were driven by anger and frustration over financial issues. Evidence presented included a text message from Mr Haig the day before his death, in which he mentioned he had been “losing out on deals,” suggesting his financial situation was deteriorating. The court also heard about previous violent incidents involving Christie, including an occasion where she stabbed Mr Haig in the leg, slashed his jacket, and damaged his clothing.

During the trial, Judge Lady Poole acknowledged the pain experienced by Mr Haig’s family, citing victim impact statements that expressed their devastation. She emphasized that, despite Mr Haig’s flawed lifestyle, it was unjust for him to have died so young at the hands of Christie. The victim’s mother, Karen May Mearns, expressed her relief and sorrow, stating that the jury’s verdict “meant the world” to her family. She added, “It doesn’t matter that it’s culpable homicide, not murder. She has been free for two-and-a-half years after killing our son, and now, at last, a monster has been caged.”

Police Scotland also responded to the verdict positively. Detective Inspector Scott Roxburgh of the Major Investigation Team stated, “We hope that it brings some kind of closure for Jevin’s family and friends.”

Christie has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to face sentencing at the High Court in Glasgow on 7 May, marking a significant step in the pursuit of justice for Jevin Haig and his family.