OLDHAM WIFE PLEADS GUILTY TO MANSLAUGHTER AFTER FATAL STABBING
Lesley Culley, aged 58, was involved in a fatal incident where she stabbed her husband, Anthony Culley, aged 56, at their home in Coldhurst, near Oldham, just days before their planned 30th wedding anniversary celebration.The confrontation began after a disagreement about her not making the bed, which escalated into violence.
Lesley stabbed Anthony twice with a kitchen knife, resulting in a fatal wound to his chest that penetrated his heart.
Police were called to the scene, where Mr Culley was found dead on the floor of their living room, and Lesley was discovered sobbing in the bedroom.
She was detained at the scene, asking if her husband was okay or dead, indicating remorse or distress.
Prior to this incident, police had been called to the residence months earlier when Lesley wounded Anthony during another argument, leaving him with a minor injury.
Anthony had also complained to colleagues about fractured ribs, and tests revealed he had experienced four rib fractures on three separate occasions—about 5 to 8 weeks before his death and again 4 to 6 days prior.
Post-mortem examination confirmed he died from a stab wound to the chest, with additional injuries including a defensive cut to his forearm and scars from previous incidents.
Lesley had a long-standing marriage, having wed Anthony in 1986 after a previous marriage.
The couple previously lived in Cyprus for seven years.
Their relationship began to deteriorate around 2011 following personal tragedies, including the death of her younger son in 2010 and her eldest son's serious injury in a motorcycle accident.
Despite these difficulties, they planned to celebrate their pearl wedding anniversary with a party at their local pub.
However, tragedy struck eleven days before the event when Lesley bought food for the celebration, went to the pub, and consumed alcohol extensively, while Anthony also drank heavily.
That evening, neighbors heard an argument.
Lesley later called 999, claiming both had been drinking and that Anthony had collapsed, bleeding from his chest and not breathing.
Police arrived to find Anthony dead.
Lesley was found sobbing in the room, having stabbed her husband in a moment of loss of self-control during an argument.
She was originally charged with murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of loss of self-control when fearing violence, with symptoms of mania, including irritability and paranoid thinking, noted in her medical reports.
Her defense highlighted her tragic family history and mental health issues, arguing that her actions were spontaneous and lacked premeditation.
She was detained, and her plea was accepted by Manchester Crown Court.
She faced sentencing later that day.
