BIRMINGHAM MAN JAILED FOR MANSLAUGHTER OF FLATMATE OVER 'SNITCH' ROW
A man who fatally stabbed his flatmate in the head and neck during a row over whether a friend was a "snitch" has been jailed for 17 years.Shannon Stanley, 27, died at the flat she shared with Pablo Hoad and his girlfriend in Small Heath, Birmingham, in the early hours of 10 May, 2022.
Hoad, 29, was cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter at Birmingham Crown Court in December.
He told police he killed Ms Stanley, who was originally from Swindon, after drinking 10 bottles of Stella Artois and smoking cannabis.
The court heard the argument started when Hoad demanded that Ms Stanley's friend leave the flat after describing him as a "snitch," which made her angry with him.
During the trial, a witness described how Hoad dragged Ms Stanley into the kitchen, slammed her against the worktop, and stabbed her repeatedly in the head and neck before fleeing.
Prosecutor Richard Atkins KC described it as a "frenzied knife attack" on an "unarmed woman," stating Ms Stanley received at least 11 blows to her head and neck.
The injuries and circumstances showed the attack was unprovoked and disproportionate.
Despite friends' efforts to help, Ms Stanley died on scene.
Hoad fled to a friend's house, called the police, and confessed to stabbing her, saying: "I'm the perpetrator, not the victim.
I went too far.
I stabbed a girl through the throat." He was tried again in November 2023 after a previous jury could not reach a verdict.
The judge described Hoad as a "dangerous offender" and highlighted his propensity for violence, condemning his actions that arose from an argument over nothing and his violent response using a knife, which was deemed wholly disproportionate.
The case also included statements from the victims' family, notably Shannon's mother and brother, expressing devastation and mourning the loss of Shannon.
The police investigation was led by Det Insp Jim Mahon, who described Hoad as argumentative, self-confessed narcissist, and having a propensity for violence.
Hoad was sentenced to 17 years in prison plus four years on extended licence.
The court emphasized the need for public protection and condemned knife crime, urging people not to use knives to resolve conflicts.
