STROOD WOMAN SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR BRUTAL PARTNER MURDER

A woman who callously stabbed her partner to death as he was eating pizza, leaving a large kitchen knife embedded 23cm deep in his back, has been sentenced to life in prison.The judge Oliver Saxby KC branded Nina Mercer, 43, a "liar with no moral compass" and ordered she serve a minimum of 17 years before becoming eligible for parole.During the trial, the jury at Maidstone Crown Court spent about five hours rejecting Mercer’s claim of acting in self-defence when she attacked Alan Tomkins, 61, a convicted child sex offender, in his flat in Strood. The court heard details of the gruesome murder where Mercer inflicted fatal wounds with a large kitchen knife, with her conviction occurring after a four-week trial.Mercer, of Gun Lane, Strood, had denied murder but was found guilty on Friday. Evidence showed she fled the scene but returned an hour later with a friend, Lee Robinson, who stole the victim’s wallet and bank card, subsequently using them to buy groceries and drugs. Mercer also washed her hair during her absence, and used her partner’s money to buy food and drugs.Jurors rejected her self-defence claim. Judge Saxby stated that Mercer had a history of violence to previous partners and had threatened Mr Tomkins, calling him a "pervert" and threatening to "slit his throat". The judge pointed out that although Mr Tomkins was "argumentative and intoxicated," he didn’t deserve to be killed. The court described how Mercer attacked Mr Tomkins after a suspected argument about giving her money, with her stabbing him in the chest and then in the back and neck as he tried to escape. The defendant left him bleeding and later returned to steal from him, with police finding her repeatedly returning to his flat over the following days.The court heard Mercer’s mental health was vulnerable, and her lawyer argued her actions were spontaneous, lacking premeditation, and that she was struggling with mental health issues. Despite this, the judge emphasized that she had numerous opportunities and support to seek help but continued her violent and criminal lifestyle. Mercer expressed remorse in a letter, but the judge found her words to be "too little, too late".Her accomplice, Lee Robinson, who helped dispose of evidence, was sentenced to two years and four months in prison. The victim, Mr Tomkins, was described as having a difficult relationship with Mercer, sharing a “mutually violent” relationship, and being estranged from his family at the time of his death. The court detailed the extent of his injuries, including stab wounds penetrating his lung and heart, and the multiple injuries inflicted from Mercer’s attack. The court also highlighted Mercer's use of her partner’s car and money after his death, showing her lack of remorse and selfishness.Overall, the case illustrated Mercer’s violent past and the tragic murder which she was convicted of, resulting in a life sentence with a minimum term of 17 years, serving her time in prison. The case has drawn attention to her history of violence, drug abuse, and pattern of criminal behavior.