A woman has been detained under the Mental Health Act after being found guilty of killing her partner in Lichfield.
Nicola Coleman, aged 40, was handed a hospital order and a restriction order after a trial at Stafford Crown Court.
She was found guilty of the manslaughter of Mark Cannon, 44, after the court heard she inflicted injuries which included a serious stab wound on the evening of September 29, 2008.
Detective Inspector Nick Powell, who led the investigation, said: “This case has taken a long time to reach its conclusion due to the issues around the health of Nicola Coleman.
“Our thoughts remain with Mark’s family as they continue to mourn their tragic loss but hope that this outcome brings them some form of closure.”
The pair had been in a relationship for 14 years and had been living together at one point in the city but were living apart the time of Mark’s death.
The court heard that at around 6pm residents living in the same block as Coleman heard the raised voices of a man and woman. Shortly after, the victim was seen to stagger out of the building holding the right side of his face and clutching a large knife in his left hand. His face was covered in blood and he was calling for help.
A number of residents came out to help, including an off duty nurse and a hospital doctor who administered first aid until paramedics arrived. But he died as a result of blood loss related to a stab wound to his chest.
