ILKESTON WOMAN JAILED FOR MANSLAUGHTER AFTER STABBING PARTNER IN PARANOIA
A 48-year-old woman with a long history of drug addiction, Regan Martin, was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in jail for unlawfully killing her partner, Wayne Sibley, in Ilkeston.The incident occurred during a heated argument at a supported housing block where they both lived.
The Derby Crown Court heard how Martin 'lashed out in a fit of paranoia' with a blade she had taken from a knife block, plunging it into Mr Sibley’s leg.
The injury severed a major artery, and he was declared dead just over an hour later.
The court was shown a victim impact statement from one of Mr Sibley’s daughters, expressing her grief: “The actions of Regan will haunt me forever and I no longer feel like a whole person without him.” Judge Shaun Smith KC pointed out that despite both being under the influence of heroin, crack cocaine, and cider, Martin’s actions were deliberate.
He remarked, “Wayne Sibley was a much-loved man and he will be missed terribly by those who loved and still miss him.
Whatever I choose to do it will not bring back Wayne Sibley to those who loved, and continue to love, him.” The trial revealed that Martin and Sibley had a troubled relationship, marked by excessive drinking and drug use.
On the day of the attack, they argued, and Martin, in a paranoiac state, picked up a knife and fatally slashed Mr Sibley to the leg.
She then attempted to beat him with a walking stick, saw that she caused significant bleeding, and afterward calmly wiped the blade before leaving her flat and telling another resident she had 'stabbed him.' Police were called around 4.45pm but couldn’t save Mr Sibley’s life.
Although charged with murder, Martin pleaded guilty to manslaughter, acknowledging that she unlawfully caused his death.
The court heard personal accounts from Mr Sibley’s family, detailing his struggles with addiction and their heartbreak over his loss.
The judge highlighted her lack of remorse based on her behavior after the stabbing and her subsequent actions, which showed no concern for Mr Sibley’s injury.
The sentence reflects the seriousness of her unlawful act, and she was given a term of seven and a half years in prison.
