A mother from Alresford has been jailed for life for stabbing her common-law husband to death.

Julie Taylor, 36, of Ford Lane, Alresford, had denied murdering Tony Honisett, 49, on June 20, 2000.

But she was unanimously convicted by a jury at Norwich Crown Court yesterday after four hours of deliberations.

The court had heard how Mr Honisett was found dead on the kitchen floor of their home, stabbed through the heart and left lung.

Taylor claimed she had found him on the floor after returning from phoning her care worker.

Afterwards Mr Honisett's father, Fredrick Honisett, who had given evidence during the trial, said: "The family is delighted with the result. It was a true result."

Senior investigating officer Len Jarman said: "Many accusations were made against Tony during this trial which, of course, he was unable to defend. However, they were unfounded.

"This has caused distress to members of his family who have had to relive the tragic events through this trial but hopefully this result will now allow them to move forward with their lives."

Published Wednesday, March 20, 2002