Woman who stabbed ex to death jailed for life

Stephanie McLaggan was found guilty of murder by a jury at Lincoln Crown Court on Wednesday

A woman who stabbed her ex-partner to death in the chest with a knife has been jailed for life.

Stephanie McLaggan was found guilty of killing Gillian Connelly at a house in Gainsborough following a two-week trial at Lincoln Crown Court.

She was sentenced earlier at the same court to a minimum jail term of 18 years.

Judge James House KC said while he could not be sure McLaggan intended to kill her former girlfriend of two decades, he was satisfied she intended to cause "life-threatening harm".

McLaggan, 39, was convicted after jurors heard evidence from Susan Wasley, who witnessed the attack on 28 July 2024 at the home of a mutual friend in Wheeldon Street.

'Unnecessary loss of life'

Judge House said he accepted that prior to the attack, Ms Connelly, 44, might have been bickering with McLaggan about the fact she was pregnant with a new boyfriend.

The defendant then followed the victim into the kitchen and stabbed her as they tussled on the floor, he said.

"She [Ms Connelly] was left bleeding to the death at the base of the stairs," the judge told the court.

During the hearing, defence barrister Clive Stockwell KC argued there was not enough evidence to conclude McLaggan, of North Warren Road, intended to kill Ms Connelly.

"On any view, this happened quickly, it was heated, there was only one entry wound," he said.

He added: "She did give birth in custody. That child will never be with her."

Gillian Connelly died from a stab wound to her chest, a post-mortem report found

Prosecutor Paul Cavin KC said the stabbing "came totally out of the blue" and only McLaggan knew her motive.

Passing sentence, Judge House said there were aggravating factors, including the fact two children were in the house at the time of the attack and McLaggan had previous convictions for violence and possessing offensive weapons.

He added "any unnecessary loss of life was a tragedy".

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