Jail for barmaid who killed lover

Ms Jones was cleared of murdering David Mackinnon

A Wiltshire barmaid who stabbed her lover through the heart in a row over spilling a drink, has been jailed for four years.

Jane Jones, 38, was cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter by a jury at Bristol Crown Court.

Recorder of Bristol, Judge Thomas Crowther, accepted that Jones had not intended to kill 49-year-old David Mackinnon during a row at their Chippenham home.

Jailing her, the judge said no sentence would ease the pain felt by the Mackinnon family.

Mild mannered

The court heard Jones had been in a relationship with Mr Mackinnon, a mechanic, for several years before the drunken argument which led to his death last May.

The couple had returned home after a night out drinking with friends when an argument started.

The row, which was heard by neighbours, escalated and eventually Jones stabbed Mr Mackinnon through the heart with a kitchen knife.

The argument began over whether Mr Mackinnon should take a hot drink into the newly-decorated living room, which she thought he might spill.

The judge added that although Mr Mackinnon had been mild-mannered, there had been three occasions when he used violence towards Jones, including on the night of the stabbing.

But the violence could not provide a justification of self-defence or provocation, the court was told.