Woman jailed for scissor killing

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A woman whose partner died after she stabbed him in the leg with a pair of scissors has been jailed.

Nicola Triplett, 30, attacked Stephen Simpson during a drunken row at their home on Dewhurst Avenue, Blackpool, Preston Crown Court heard.

Despite suffering a minor wound, Mr Simpson died later from septicaemia.

Triplett, who admitted manslaughter, had a history of violent arguments with her partner. She was jailed for two years and four months.

The court heard that Mr Simpson was not admitted to Blackpool Victoria Hospital until the day after he was stabbed.

'Tragic case'

He was later discharged but readmitted a few days later after complaining of feeling unwell. His condition deteriorated and he died later that night.

Prosecutors said the stabbing had been a "deliberate act" and there had been violent arguments between the couple in the past.

Michael Hayton, defending, said Triplett's life had fallen apart after Mr Simpson's death and she genuinely grieved for the loss.

Speaking after the hearing, Det Ch Insp Neil Esseen, who led the investigation for Lancashire Police, described it as a "tragic and unusual" case.

"Whilst the prosecution accepts that Ms Triplett had no intention to kill Mr Simpson, the fact that he died from a relatively minor initial wound serves only to underline the danger of using sharp instruments of any sort in an argument.

"This case has no winners, and our sympathies lie with the family of Mr Simpson, who have been tragically and needlessly deprived of a loved one."