'Coercive' woman jailed for life for murdering man

Laura Shanley was jailed on Friday after being found guilty of murder

A woman accused of coercively controlling a man who she stabbed in the chest has been jailed for life for his murder.

Alfred James Corbett, better known as Jamie, was found seriously injured at a property in Coventry in the early hours of 17 September 2024, but died at the scene.

After stabbing her victim, Laura Shanley, 36, knelt down next to him and shouted "what have I done?" the court heard.

At the Warwick Crown Court sentencing hearing she was told she would serve a minimum of 16 years, minus a year she had already spent in prison.

In a tribute, Mr Corbett's family said they believed he was the victim of coercive control and violence leading up to his murder.

"We wish we could turn back time to when Jamie was happy and safe with a family who loved him, before he met Laura Shanley, but we cannot," they said.

"Thankfully she will now face a long period in prison which we hope prevents her causing harm to anyone else."

Alfred Corbett died in September 2024 after being stabbed in the chest

Prior to the Edmund Road attack Shanley had been out in the city drinking with friends, police said.

She initially told officers Mr Corbett had arrived home bleeding having already been stabbed.

She was arrested after the knife she used was found in the kitchen sink.

The court heard she had asked another woman who was inside the house if she would lie to police, asking her "have you got my back?"

She later admitted stabbing him, and was found guilty of murder.

His family added: "Our grief for the loss of a beautiful son and brother will be lifelong and none of us will ever be whole or complete again."