A WIFE who stabbed her husband to death with a pair of scissors has been jailed for nine years.
After deliberating for more than 16 hours, the jury at Truro Crown Court on Thursday acquitted Sandra Clinch of murdering Alan Clinch but found her guilty of manslaughter.
The court heard the 49-year-old flew into a rage after he did not help tidy their cottage at Darite, near Liskeard.
She had claimed it was a "tragic accident" that a pair of dress-making scissors became embedded up to 4in in her fourth husband's chest, puncturing his heart and a lung.
During the trial, she first claimed to have thrown the scissors at him and then that he happened to walk into the line of fire.
She had denied murder and Judge Graham Cottle asked the jury before retirement to consider a manslaughter verdict on the grounds of diminished responsibility or lack of control.
Sentencing Clinch, Judge Cottle said: "You have been convicted by the jury of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. Your principal defence of an accident was nothing more than purely fanciful.
"The jury were satisfied you were suffering from a personality disorder at the time you killed and ... that affected your ability to exercise self-control.
"The evidence established beyond doubt you have been aggressive, abusive and violent towards previous partners as well as your children.
"You stabbed a previous partner with a carving knife and assaulted your children on a regular basis.
"He (Mr Clinch) was a meek, mild-mannered and gentle man who simply took what you handed out.
"This time, when your temper exploded, you killed ... your husband.
"I have no doubt on that evidence that you intended to hurt him badly and you embedded scissors in his heart and immediately after you regretted your actions."
He added: "The evidence showed you were unable to exercise self-control and no form of hospital order is recommended or warranted."
The trial had earlier heard from witnesses, including her children and a former husband, who told how she once got so angry that she destroyed her own wedding cake and threw objects at him including darts.