BELFAST WOMAN JAILED FOR DEADLY STABBING IN ALCOHOL-FUELLED ROW
A woman named Sara Jane Mitchell was involved in a violent incident where she stabbed her partner, Anthony Robin, to death during an alcohol-fuelled argument.Mitchell was 44 years old and from Lindsay Court in Belfast.
The event took place at Fitzroy Avenue flat in south Belfast on 11 May, 2009.
She denied murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
She was sentenced to five years in prison with an additional five years on licence; however, due to time already served, she was not returned to custody.
The judge highlighted her long history of mental health difficulties and noted that several experts agreed she was suffering from 'an abnormality of mind—Alcohol Dependence Syndrome' at the time of the killing, which impaired her mental responsibility.
The judge, Mr Justice Treacy, described the relationship between Mitchell and Mr Robin as 'turbulent, volatile and blighted by the excessive consumption of alcohol.' Prior to the stabbing, a heated exchange occurred on the flat's landing, witnessed by Mr Robin's 16-year-old son, who saw his father being stabbed outside the living room.
Mr Robin's sister, Kim Robin, described him as a loving father whose death deprived his two sons of guidance and support.
The judge also acknowledged that during her time in custody, Mitchell had been a model prisoner and had turned her life around.
