Mother killed partner with knife

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A mother-of-two killed her partner with a single stab through the heart after a row about music, a court has heard.

Andrea Neil, 34, from Alloa in Clackmannanshire, admitted the culpable homicide of 46-year-old Robert Hamilton at the High Court in Glasgow.

Mr Hamilton died after a row over which CD to play resulted in the pair struggling on their kitchen floor, leading to the stabbing.

Neil was remanded in custody and will be sentenced next month.

The court heard that the couple, who had been together for two years, began arguing at about 0400 BST on 10 May at their home in the town's Mull Court.

She grabbed at a knife which was lying on a kitchen counter and stabbed him on the left side of the his chest Jack ThomsonProsecuting

Prosecutor Jock Thomson QC said: "The argument got so heated that the accused asked Mr Hamilton to leave, but he refused.

"Mr Hamilton attempted to throw a television at Neil. He then pulled her to the kitchen floor by her hair and a struggle ensued.

"She grabbed at a knife which was lying on a kitchen counter and stabbed him on the left side of the his chest.

"Mr Hamilton staggered a few steps and then collapsed in the hallway."

Mr Hamilton, who had an 11-year-old daughter and an adopted daughter, died later that morning at Stirling Royal Infirmary.

Devastating effect

The court was told that when Neil realised he was seriously injured she phoned a friend and said: "You'll need to help me."

When the friend arrived she found Neil, whose clothing was heavily blood-stained, screaming hysterically: and saying: "I think he's dead."

Neil also contacted Mr Hamilton's sister Evelyn and said: "I've plunged him."

A post-mortem examination revealed that the knife wound penetrated the left side of the victim's heart and he suffered massive blood loss.

Mr Thomson added: "The impact of the crime had a devastating effect for all those involved.

"Mr Hamilton was an extremely well-liked man."